Another injury for Jude Bellingham? Shoulder fears eased but Real Madrid reveal fresh issue for record-breaking England international

The England international midfielder, who has made a stunning impact at Santiago Bernabeu on the back of his summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund, has been forced to sit out games for club and country as a result of a blow taken to his shoulder that may yet require surgery.

He is prepared to play through any pain there for now, with Real expecting to have the talented 20-year-old at their disposal for a Liga meeting with Granada on Saturday. Bellingham has, however, seen his involvement in training ahead of that contest limited by a knock to his ankle.

Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti told reporters when asked for an update on Bellingham, who has scored 15 goals through 16 appearances for the club: “Bellingham is fit to play tomorrow. He will be fine and he will play the game. It’s just that he’s had some discomfort in his ankle. Bellingham is very respected in the team not only for the goals he scores but for the work he does. We have never asked Bellingham to score goals. He has to continue like that and there will come a time when he won’t score goals.”

Bellingham has been scoring at a higher rate for Real than Cristiano Ronaldo managed following his world-record transfer to the Spanish capital in 2009. Such form will be difficult to maintain, but the 2023 Golden Boy winner is showing no sign of slowing down – with La Liga and Champions League glory being targeted before attention shifts to European Championship duty next summer.