Real Madrid star James RodrÃguez injured his knee and Atletico Madrid forward Jackson Martinez suffered a bruise on his tibia in Colombia's 1-1 draw against Peru during a friendly on Tuesday in Harrison, New Jersey. Team doctor Carlos Ulloa confirmed both of the injuries, saying that Martinez's injury was a "minor bruise."
"James' knee shows trauma, but it is nothing major and he was taken off the pitch as a preventive measure," Ulloa said. "We are evaluating, but it is apparently nothing serious. We will cut back his training for a few days and see how it shapes up."
The midfielder is due back with Real Madrid to prepare for Saturday's match against Espanyol.
Fabian Castillo entered the match for James while Carlos Bacca came in for Martinez, both at the 59th minute.
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman sat Deportivo Cali forward Francisco Santos Borre because the 19-year-old has a sprained ankle.
"When he joined the national team at practice he already had a knock and it began to bother him more," said Ulloa of the teenager, who is reportedly headed to Atletico Madrid in 2016. "It was already a bruise on the bone, so he didn't practice at full force."
Peru found a late penalty to manage the 1-1 draw.
Bacca had given Colombia the lead shortly before half-time and they appeared headed for a win until Frank Fabra fouled Jefferson Farfan, who scored the resulting penalty in the 89th minute.
Colombia face Peru on Oct. 8 in Barranquilla for the first of their 2018 World Cup qualifying in the CONMEBOL region.
