Bellingham’s wait to return to action looks set to be extended (Picture: Getty)
Jude Bellingham is reportedly a doubt for Real Madrid’s La Liga game against Valencia on Saturday.
The England international has not played since being withdrawn with an ankle injury during Madrid’s 4-0 win over title rivals Girona on February 10.
According to The Athletic, Bellingham has not yet returned to training alongside the rest of his teammates and has instead been completing physio, gym and swimming pool work as part of his recovery.
As such, the 20 year-old looks unlikely to be included for the tricky-looking trip to the Mestalla, which will see Los Blancos extend their gap at the top of the league summit to nine points with a win.
Madrid are said to have targeted their Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie against Leipzig on March 6 as a possible return for their star midfielder.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have been without Bellingham for their past three games, with that run of fixtures starting with a narrow 1-0 win over Leipzig in the first leg of their European counter.
Bellingham hit the turf in agony against Girona (Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid have had to cope with the Englishman’s absence (Picture: Getty)
The Spanish giants were then held to a 1-1 draw away to Rayo Vallecano, before returning to the Bernabeu to grind out a 1-0 win over Sevilla.
Before rolling his ankle against Girona, Bellingham had netted his 19th and 20th goals of the season in what is turning out to be a dream debut season in Madrid.
A whole host of records have tumbled Bellingham’s way this term, with that brace against the Catalan club seeing him become the highest scoring Real Madrid midfielder in a single La Liga season in the 21st century.
This is not the first time that the former Birmingham City academy graduate has been in the treatment room this season.
Bellingham was forced to sit out the reverse game against Valencia with a shoulder injury, with his teammates coping well in his absence by putting five goals past their opponents.