Will Jude Bellingham be fit for Champions League duty? Real Madrid deliver fitness update on England star following shoulder injury scare

The Blancos are set to face Portuguese opposition at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Having already taken maximum points from their opening three games in Group C, the Liga giants have plenty of margin for error in their bid to reach the knockout stages.

No risks need to be taken on Bellingham’s fitness, with the England international having become a talismanic presence in the Spanish capital. He has already hit 13 goals through 14 appearances in all competitions and is expected to land the prestigious Golden Boy award for 2023.

Carlo Ancelotti may decide to rest the talented 20-year-old against Braga, with there bigger challenges to come for Real, but the all-action midfielder appears to be in contention for a starting berth. Real released images from their final training session on Tuesday, with Bellingham among those being put through their paces.

Ancelotti did his best to play down concerns regarding Bellingham’s fitness after seeing him left sporting heavy strapping on his shoulder during a domestic meeting with Rayo Vallencano on Sunday. The England ace will be desperate to figure in midweek European action, with it now up to his manager to decide how many minutes he can play.