Fractured jaw sidelines Dudek for six weeks

Real Madrid’s Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek will be sidelined for six weeks after he fractured his jaw during his side’s 4-0 Champions League win over Auxerre, the Spanish club said on Thursday.

The 37-year-old, who was making a rare appearance for Real in place of Iker Casillas, was replaced just before half-time in Wednesday’s match and taken to hospital after colliding with Auxerre forward Roy Contout.

In a statement, the club said “a series of X-rays and a CAT Scan revealed a fractured mandible. The goalkeeper is expected to miss approximately six weeks, pending an assessment by a maxillofacial surgeon in the next 24 hours.”

Dudek, who made several excellent saves, was replaced by reserve keeper Antonio Adan.