The defensive problems continue to mount up for new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho with the confirmation that central defender Raul Albiol will be out of action for over a month with an ankle injury.

Albiol injured his ankle during Real Madrid' s 1-1 draw against Belgian side Standard Liege on Tuesday night.

Tests carried out on his return to the Spanish capital this Wednesday show that he has a second degree sprain on in right ankle and that he will miss the start of the new BBVA Primera Liga season.

The soonest Albiol will be able to return is in the fourth match of the campaign, when his side plays at home to Espanyol. He will also miss Spain' s first qualifying match for the 2012 European Championships, although he should not be missed against Liechtenstein, one of the weakest teams in Europe.

Albiol' s injury has come at the worst possible time for Mourinho, who already has two of his remaining three central defenders injured. Pepe and Ezequiel Garay have both picked up injuries during pre-season and it is not yet clear whether either of them will be fit for the start of the BBVA Primera Liga on the last weekend of August.

New signing Ricardo Carvalho is currently the only fit specialist central defender at the club, meaning Mourinho has to look for solutions elsewhere in the squad or in the Real Madrid youth system.