Madrid, Dec 7 : Real Madrid will be without Kaka until January, according to sports daily AS Monday.

The Brazilian playmaker suffered an acute groin strain in Real's 1-0 defeat away to Barcelona on November 29 and has not played since.

AS claims that the injury is more serious than it appeared at first sight and that Kaka will need another month to recover from it.

Kaka, 27, has not found his best form since joining Real from AC Milan in July and has scored just one goal in La Liga.

Real's other injury victims are Christoph Metzelder, Guti and Ruud Van Nistelrooy. All of them will miss Tuesday's Champions League showdown away to Olympique Marseille.

In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo will miss next Saturday's crucial game away to third-placed Valencia after being sent off in Saturday's 4-2 home win over Almeria.

Valencia are just three points behind Real, who are themselves five points behind leaders Barcelona.(DPA)