MADRID, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio is likely to be out of action for a couple of weeks after the club confirmed he is suffering from a bacterial infection that has caused him to lose several kilos in just a handful of days.

Asencio was left out of the squad that lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, with initial reports suggesting gastroenteritis. However, the problem appears more serious, as the club clarified on Saturday.

"After tests carried out on our player Raul Asencio by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a bacterial entercolitis," informs the Real Madrid website.

Several sports newspapers reported that the defender required hospital treatment after losing around six kilograms, but Real Madrid only stated that "Asencio is at his home undergoing treatment."

As usual, the club did not give a specific return date, but Asencio is unlikely to feature in Real Madrid's next La Liga matches, at home to Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday, and away to Real Betis three days later. ■