James Rodriguez suffers knee injury ahead of Colombia friendlies

MIAMI - Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez will miss Colombia's friendly against Peru on Friday because of a knee injury.

The 28-year-old limped off the training pitch on Thursday after feeling pain in his left knee and was ruled out of the match at Hard Rock Stadium near Miami as a precaution.

"[James] was evaluated by the medical team and his first diagnosis has been reserved," the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) said in a statement.

"In the next few hours, a detailed imaging study will be carried out to confirm the definitive diagnosis."

James has not represented Colombia since the team's Copa America quarterfinal defeat to Chile on penalties in June, having missed subsequent friendlies against Brazil, Venezuela, Chile and Algeria.

Colombia, who have gone five matches without a victory, will also face Ecuador in New Jersey on Tuesday.