Madrid - Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy will be out of action indefinitely and may need an operation on his troubled right knee, sports daily AS reported Friday on its website.

The Real doctors carried out stringent tests on Van Nistelrooy's right knee on Friday morning, without yet deciding whether he will need a cartilage or ligament operation.

According to AS, they now want to consult with doctor Steadman, the specialist who operated upon Van Nistelrooy's knee in 2000.

The Dutch veteran, now aged 32, has already missed several games this season because of sinovitis in the right knee. He complained about pain in that knee immediately after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at home to Juventus in the Champions League.

The Van Nistelrooy problem confirms that Real are immersed in a massive injury crisis right now.

Arjen Robben is out for around six weeks. The other players who will miss Saturday's home game against midtable Malaga are Miguel Torres, Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Ruben de la Red.

Real are currently joint third in La Liga with Valencia, one point behind second-placed Villarreal and two behind leaders Barcelona.

Failure to convincingly beat midtable Malaga will increase the pressure on embattled German coach Bernd Schuster. (dpa)