Madrid fear lengthy Essien lay-off

Michael Essien is facing another spell on the sidelines after limping off in Real Madrid’s 3 -2 defeat at Galatasary on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League.

The makeshift right-back had to be replaced on the half hour mark by Alvaro Arbeloa in Istanbul.

The versatile midfielder is reported to have suffered a hamstring injury but the extent of damage is unknown.

Essien was maintained in defence after impressing in the first leg 3-0 home defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite his injury concerns, Real Madrid advanced to the semi-final with a 5-3 aggregate score line.

The on-loan Chelsea player is on the verge of regaining his assertiveness at Real Madrid after warming the bench when he returned from injury in November 2011.

Essien has made 16 appearances and scored one goal in the Spanish La Liga.