© Reuters 2002

MADRID, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Spain captain Fernando Hierro will not require surgery on his dislocated shoulder, his club Real Madrid said on Monday.

But the 33-year-old defender could be out for as long as five weeks with the injury he suffered in Real's 1-1 draw against Malaga on Saturday.

"The shoulder is now where it should be and we prefer not to operate because there's no need," club doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez said on Real's website.

"The recovery time will be between three and four weeks, although it could take as long as 35 days, depending on how the injury progresses."

Hierro, who has been a fixture in the national team for more than a decade, will almost certainly miss Spain's next friendly international in preparation for the World Cup finals, against Portugal on February 13.

His target will be to return for Real's next Champions League match, at home to Porto on February 19.

Hierro sustained the injury after falling awkwardly following a challenge from Uruguayan midfielder Marcelo Romero in the last minute of the first half against Malaga.

Spain have been drawn in group B for the finals in South Korea and Japan, alongside South Africa, Paraguay and Slovenia.