Pepe is down with muscle injury on HWN SPORTS

Real Madrid could be without central defender Pepe for the start of the 2015-16 campaign due to a muscle injury in his right leg.

The Portugal international was forced off after 16 minutes of Madrid's clash with Bayern Munich at the Audi Cup on Wednesday after aggravating a previous injury.

Madrid coach Rafael Benitez initially moved to calm fears the Portugal international could be out for a long period of time, but after undergoing tests Pepe may be a doubt for the club's Liga opener with Sporting Gijon on Aug. 23.

A club statement read: A medical examination on the player [Pepe] at the Universitario Sanitas La Moraleja hospital has shown that he has a muscle injury in his right leg. His progress will be monitored closely.