France [ Images ] captain Zinedine Zidane [ Images ] will be out for three weeks because of a groin strain, his Spanish club Real Madrid [ Images ] said on Thursday.

Zidane suffered the injury while on international duty with France on Wednesday, Real said on their official website. He was substituted during the 1-0 victory against Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

France will be hoping Zidane is fit again for their next European zone Group Four qualifier against Switzerland [ Images ] in Berne on October 8. The two countries are joint top of the group.