MADRID, Feb 26 — Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says he is unsure if forward Eden Hazard will play again this season after fracturing his right ankle at the weekend.

Hazard, 29, faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining the injury in Saturday 1-0 La Liga defeat at Levante.

The Belgian had been out of action for nearly three months due to another ankle injury and was making only his second appearance since his return.

"I don’t know if his season is over, I don’t know but I hope not,” Zidane told a news conference before today’s Champions League last 16 first-leg clash against Manchester City.

Hazard was seen as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo when he joined from Chelsea last year for €100 million (RM460.8 million) but injuries have limited the Belgian to 15 appearances and one goal.

"I don’t know if he’ll need an operation, it’s not my area. I can see he’s not happy. It’s important he stays positive but, of course, it’s difficult,” Zidane added.

"It’s a bad moment, it won’t be easy and he’ll feel like this for a while.” — Reuters