Bellingham shoulder injury update: will he play against Braga?

In the 10th minute of last night’s league game against Rayo, more than one heart stopped at the Bernabéu. Bellingham fell to the ground clearly in pain, punching out in agony, after a bad fall. The English midfielder indicated that the problem was with his left shoulder. Club doctors raced on-field to treat the player, but miraculously, he was able to finish the match in the end with his injured shoulder strapped up.

Medical staff knew right away that the player had dislocated his shoulder. An injury that is very painful, but didn’t impede Bellingham from finishing the game - even if he wasn’t at 100%. Once the match was over, inflammation set in and the pain increased. Tests conducted this morning revealed minor damage to the player’s left shoulder, but fortunately nothing serious. The injury doesn’t rule him out from playing in Wednesday’s Champions League matchday 4 game against Braga, but the club needs to decide whether it is worth the risk. Doctors, coaching staff and the player himself will meet before tomorrow’s training session to make a final assessment.

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It means that for now, Bellingham is a doubt for the Braga game. Apart from the risk of aggravating his injury, he won’t be comfortable. Champions League games are intense, competitive, physical... players need to be in optimum conditions and that’s not the case right now with Jude. Ancelotti is a coach who never gambles with the health or well being of his players - if someone is not 100%, he would prefer them to rest and recover.

Then there is Madrid’s position in the tournament. Los Blancos are one of a handful of teams with a 100% record in the group stage and who could mathematically secure their place in the Round of 16 this week, on matchday 4. The team tops Group C on nine points, three points clear of Napoli in second. A win on Wednesday night would put them in the next round. It’s an important game but not decisive. And that will also be a factor in whether Bellingham plays any part in it. By tomorrow, the situation will be a lot clearer - medical staff will be keen to find out if the player is still experiencing any pain. Like all injuries, dislocated shoulders take time to heal.

Ceballos not quite ready

Dani Ceballos is not available for Wednesday’s game against Braga or Saturday’s league meeting with Valencia at the Bernabéu. The midfielder is back working with the ball but after suffering two muscular injuries so far this season, he won’t be risked. Medical staff expect him to return to full team duties after the international break. Left-back Férland Mendy has made a total recovery from his muscular sprain and is set to return to the squad list.