The international break is usually a time of worry for Real Madrid coaches and fans as players put their bodies on the line for their countries, but they may be getting a bit of positive injury news before club matches resume on the weekend.
According to a report by Spanish publication Marca, Jude Bellingham is getting close to a return from his muscle injury.
If he proves fit for the match against Real Sociedad on Saturday, it would mean he returns from his absence sooner than anticipated — initial reports had suggested that the young England star would be out a few more weeks, potentially sidelined all the way up until the Madrid derby against Atleti on September 29.
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Bellingham first suffered the injury, a strain of his right plantaris muscle, during a training session on August 23 ahead of their match against Real Valladolid.
It's a rare boost for Real Madrid during the international break, as big clubs often rue the week-long absence during which their best players put themselves at risk of injury for their national teams. Lengthy global travel and games on sub-par pitches can be a breeding ground for injuries, as Carlo Ancelotti has often been forced to swallow.
That's been the case again in September, as a number of players have come down with fitness concerns. Aurelien Tchouameni didn't even make it to France's first match before suffering an aggravation of his previous foot injury, while Eder Militao was forced to leave Brazil camp after suffering a core muscle strain.
Thankfully, the news seems positive for Militao, but Tchouameni has cropped up with a stress fracture and will miss significantly more time.
"What I wish for? All I want is just no injuries, I just want all players to return healthy," Ancelotti said before the international break.
