Sami Khedira Gifted Real Madrid Lifeline After Luka Modric Injury

It looks like it is going to be worse than expected. Luka Modric's MRI scan on his groin injury, according to Marca, could rule him out for between two and three months.

"Nobody at Real Madrid has played more minutes than Modric: 1,454," another Marca article read in relation to the current season. The Croatian's constant presence in Carlo Ancelotti's side and his blossoming partnership with Toni Kroos have been important factors in Madrid's 13-game winning streak.

Ancelotti, therefore, is left with a conundrum. But from the Italian's conundrum could come a lifeline for German midfielder Sami Khedira—if he wants it.

In a bitter coincidence, Modric's injury arrived a year and a day after Khedira's campaign was effectively ended last season. Even more coincidentally, both players’ injuries were picked up against Italy at AC Milan's San Siro home.

Khedira had found a home in Ancelotti's 4-3-3 formation when he was struck down on international duty last year; 12 months later he's very much on the periphery of the current Madrid side.

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In total, he’s played just 65 minutes since returning from another injury this season in the league and Champions League. He’s made four substitute appearances in La Liga and one more in Europe. He did, however, start in the Copa del Rey win against UE Cornella in October.

Modric's injury, then, could help Khedira re-find his home.

One thing it almost certainly rules out is a January exit to the Premier League. Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked, per Alex Richards of The Mirror, but the 27-year-old had already refuted suggestions of a move prior to the Modric situation which has arisen.

"I cannot see any reason why I would leave the club this winter," he told Kicker magazine earlier this month, per the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones.

"Real Madrid is a great club to be at. This club has a place in my heart and there is absolutely no reason for me to say that I want to or have to leave. I get the feeling I am still wanted [by coach Carlo Ancelotti]."

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The problem, though, and the reason the rumours keep on coming, is that Khedira only has a contract at the Bernabeu until next summer. And there are no signs of him signing a new deal at the moment.

So, if staying in the Spanish capital and earning a new contract is his aim, the perfect opportunity may have just landed on his lap.

Ancelotti has other options: Asier Illarramendi was signed for a lot of money last summer and an article on Spanish language publication Marca suggests the club want their coach to pick the former Real Sociedad midfielder. Ancelotti, though, would prefer to fit Khedira in alongside his German compatriot Kroos.

Isco has even been suggested as a possible option as well, by Ancelotti himself, per AS, but that wouldn't lead to a particularly balanced side.

Khedira's short-term future has been practically assured by Modric's injury; it's now up to him to fight for his long-term future with the European champions. That, though, depends on if he does indeed want to extend his stay.