Real Madrid defender Pepe has surgery on ankle

Pepe and Real Madrid are in third place in La Liga.

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MADRID (AP) -- Real Madrid says defender Pepe has undergone surgery on his right ankle in Portugal.

The club says Pepe experienced "discomfort in his right ankle'' and after a medical examination had undergone an arthroscopy on Wednesday at the Espregueira Mendes Clinic in Porto.

The central defender would not have been able to play in Madrid's upcoming Spanish league game this weekend against Real Sociedad due to suspension.

He's expected to be sidelined for a month.

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