Jude Bellingham in race to return as Real Madrid suffer another midfield injury blow

Real Madrid will hope Jude Bellingham’s recovery from injury remains on track after Carlo Ancelotti’s squad suffered another setback in midfield.

Bellingham has not featured since Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca on the first weekend of the LaLiga season due to a calf problem .

The 21-year-old will miss England’s forthcoming UEFA Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, with a return after the international break in his sights.

That would certainly be handy for Ancelotti after a damaging prognosis for Dani Ceballos.

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Playmaker Ceballos had been linked with a move away from Madrid, having struggled for first-team opportunities last season but was handed his first start of the new campaign against former club Real Betis on Sunday.

However, he was forced off after 65 minutes and Madrid confirmed on Monday that the 28-year-old has suffered ankle ligament damage.

A club statement read: “Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid medical services on our player Dani Ceballos, he has been diagnosed with a grade three sprain with ligament damage to his right ankle. His progress will be monitored.”

Ankle sprains are graded one to three, with three at the most severe end of the scale as a complete ligament tear.

Madrid claimed a 2-0 win over Betis thanks to a breakthrough LaLiga brace from Kylian Mbappe. They return to action with a trip to Real Sociedad on September 14.