Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will reportedly attempt to sign a midfielder before the January transfer window following the long-term injury to Sami Khedira.

Khedira will be out of action for the next six months after picking up a serious knee injury in Germany's 1-1 draw with Italy last week.

Spanish newspaper Marca has brought to attention a league ruling that would allow Ancelotti to sign a new midfielder before the transfer window, providing that the player in question is already at a Spanish club or out of contract.

"Outside of the two official transfer windows, licences can be granted when a player is unable to play through illness or injury, if this period that the player is inactive for reaches five months," reads the ruling.

Khedira joined Madrid from Stuttgart in 2010.