Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy is set to miss up to six weeks of action after picking up a fresh calf injury, according to The Athletic.
The 27-year-old only returned from a two-month lay-off due to a thigh problem, making his comeback as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona before the international break.
The Spanish giants confirmed ahead of Sunday’s 6-0 win over Real Valladolid that Mendy had suffered a fresh calf problem, but offered no timeframe on his absence.
However, Mendy now looks set to miss crucial games for Los Blancos, including Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barca and both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.
Mendy’s injury problem means he has started in just 14 of his 15 La Liga games this season, contributing one assist and two clean sheets.
His absence will come as a blow to manager Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian will take some comfort in the news that centre-back Antonio Rudiger and striker Mariano Diaz who missed the riot against Valladolid, have returned to training.
David Alaba, who has played predominantly as a centre-back this season, will slot in for the injured Mendy at left-back. Ancelotti could also call on the versatile Nacho Fernandez for the role.
Los Blancos face fierce rivals Barca in midweek with a place in the Copa Del Rey final up for grabs, with the Blaugranas holding a slender 1-0 lead heading into the encounter.
Eder Militao’s 26th-minute own goal proved to be Madrid’s demise at Santiago Bernabeu, but Ancelotti’s men will get their chance for vengeance at Spotify Camp Nou.
The Spanish heavyweights have clashed four times already in all competitions this season, with Madrid winning just once and Xavi Hernandez’s side claiming glory the other three times.
If Madrid fail to come away from Thursday’s encounter victorious, the Champions League could represent their only chance of ending the campaign with a trophy.
