Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his left quadriceps, as confirmed by the club.
Journalist Arancha Rodriguez predicts that the English full-back will be sidelined for two months.
Alexander-Arnold sustained the injury during the 3-0 win against Athletic Club last night.
The 26-year-old endured a difficult start to his spell in the Spanish capital, with a hamstring injury in September keeping him out of action for a month.
He has been starting to hit his stride after playing the entire ninety minutes against Olympiacos, Elche and Girona.
Alexander-Arnold was looking sharper last night following an impressive assist for Kylian Mbappe’s opener, but his latest injury will curtail his progress.
He will now miss a set of crucial La Liga games, the entire Spanish Super Cup in January and the Champions League fixtures against Manchester City, Monaco and Benfica.
As for Madrid, their injury crisis in the defence continues to worsen.
Manager Xabi Alonso will use Federico Valverde or Raul Asencio at right-back. Dani Carvajal is injured but is due to return next month.
Dean Huijsen, who missed the last two games through injury, could make his comeback against Celta Vigo this weekend. Ferland Mendy and David Alaba are sidelined.
Antonio Rudiger has started in back-to-back games against Girona and Athletic since returning from a long-term thigh injury, linking up with Eder Militao in the central defence.
However, Alonso must regulate Rudiger’s game time to avoid potential relapse in future.
Eduardo Camavinga, who was on target in last night’s victory, suffered an injury scare, but it is not serious.
Los Blancos ended their three-match winless drought with a dominant victory against Athletic, powered by Mbappe’s double.
