MADRID, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid suffered an injury setback on Saturday when it was confirmed that defender Alvaro Arbeloa will be out of action for up around a month for a right knee injury.

It is a major setback to the defender, who as left out of Vicente Del Bosque's squad for Spain's friendly match at home to Italy on Wednesday night, a decision which has put his place at the World Cup at serious risk.

The injury means Arbeloa will be out of action for the return leg of his side's Champions League last 16 game at home to Schalke 04 in just under a fortnight as well as the first leg of the quarter-finals, which Madrid are certain to reach after winning the first leg 6-1 against Schalke.

"He has a knee problem and he will have to rest for a few days. It is not good news because he is an important player for us, not just because of his talent in defense, but also because of his experience," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who also looked ahead to Sunday's match at home to Levante.

"They have played very well in their recent games and when a side has good results it is for something. We will have to be patient as it is not easy to play against their defensive system," said the Real Madrid coach, who added that central defender Pepe was a doubt for the game.

"He has had a stomach bug and he only began to train again today. I am not going to take a decision over whether or not he plays until tomorrow (Sunday)," said Ancelotti, who also praised midfielder, Xabi Alonso and said that Asier Illaramendi would probably not face any further disciplinary action after being filmed in his local 'fiestas' running in front of a small bull, an action forbidden in the player's contract because of the obvious risk it entails.