Real striker Higuain out three weeks with leg muscle injury

MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain will miss three weeks because of a leg muscle injury.

The Spanish club says medical tests Tuesday confirmed a tear in Higuain's left calf muscle.

The Argentina striker has been a regular despite the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema and leads the team with 11 goals in the league along with two in the Champions League. Higuain was also a starter in Argentina's final World Cup qualifying games.

With Higuain ruled out against Athletic Bilbao, Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna, Benzema is likely to take his place. Madrid is also without midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart for up to three weeks with a leg injury.

Madrid trails Spanish leader Barcelona by two points in the standings.