Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane admits he doesn't know if attacker Eden Hazard will play again this season.
The Belgian forward will moss both legs of Madrid's Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester City after breaking his ankle in their defeat to Levante earlier this month.
"He loves playing football and while I can't tell you what is in his eyes, I can see he is not happy," Zidane said of the former Chelsea star's injury woes ahead of tomorrow' clash with City tomorrow.
"It's important he stays positive but, of course, it's difficult. It's a bad moment, it won't be easy and he will feel like that for a while.
"We are not happy about Hazard's injury, it comes at a bad moment. He wanted to play and help us but now he is out again, which is sad of course.
"I hope when he's back again he is completely fit. That's what everyone wants and that's it."
"I do not know if he will have to go through an operation. It is not my area and I don't know if his season is over, but I hope not."
Zidane also praised City coach Pep Guardiola ahead of their European meeting:
"Some people can think other coaches are better but for me, he is the best.
"But it is Madrid against City, not Zidane against Guardiola. It will be a great game. We always want to play games like this and we will do our best to come away with a good result."