Madrid - Real Madrid midfielder will be out of action indefinitely, sports daily Marca reported on Saturday.

Marca states that the Spanish international will not play again until the causes of his Wednesday fainting fit are known.

De la Red, 23, fainted after just 18 minutes of Real's cup game away to third division side Union Irun. Scenes of panic and concern ensued, as the Spanish international was stretchered off unconscious and rushed to hospital.

The memory of the death of Sevilla left-back Antonio Puerta, after suffering a massive heart attack on the pitch in August 2007, is still very painful and poignant in Spain.

De la Red was released from hospital on Friday and will stay at home all weekend.

He will miss Sunday's Liga game away to Almeria, and almost certainly Wednesday's Champions League clash at home to Juventus.

"I feel very well," De la Red told Marca on Saturday. "I don't remember anything at all about the incident."

"The tests have found nothing negative," he added. "Now that I seen the pictures I understand why everyone was so alarmed. I will spend this weekend with my son, who is five months old and the joy of the house."

Marca also quotes Real president Ramon Calderonas saying that "it was an episode which worried all of us... But now I would like to send a message of tranquility to the fans."

De la Red is a product of the Real youth sections. He caught the eye last season whilst on loan at Getafe - playing in defensive midfield or central defence - and was a reserve for Spain at Euro 2008.

He returned to Real in July and is now an important part of Bernd Schuster's squad. (dpa)