Arjen Robben and Gabriel Heinze sidelined for several weeks

Real Madrid forward Arjen Robben and defender Gabriel Heinze will not play for several weeks after sustaining leg injuries while on recent international duty.

Photo: Arjen Robben and Gabriel Heinze sidelined for several weeks

Madrid said on its Web site Thursday that Robben will be out 4-5 weeks due to a torn left thigh muscle suffered in the Netherlands ' 2-0 win over Slovenia in European Championship qualifying on Wednesday.

Heinze is expected to be sidelined 2-3 weeks after tearing left thigh muscle fibers during Argentina 's 2-0 win over Chile in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Robben and Heinze both joined Madrid on Aug. 23 after completing transfers from Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

Upon arrival, Robben was recovering from a knee operation and had to wait until Sept. 18 before making his debut with the Spanish champion. So far, he has only completed one full game - against Getafe on Sept. 30.

The forward, who cost Madrid 36 million EUR(US$49 million), could miss as many as six league matches, two in the European Champions League and the Netherlands' final two Euro 2008 qualifying games.

Madrid , which visits Espanyol on Saturday, leads the league with 19 points from seven games.