Real Madrid team news update for Real Sociedad LaLiga clash: injuries, doubtful players...
Ferland Mendy has been added to Real Madrid’s injury list, after the left-back picked up a hamstring problem in Thursday’s Copa del Rey win over Atlético Madrid.
Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy will miss this weekend’s game against Real Sociedad through injury, while David Alaba is a doubt after suffering a relapse.
Alaba suffers recurrence of calf problem
Having sustained a calf injury in Madrid’s LaLiga defeat to Villarreal earlier in January, Alaba saw the problem flare up on Thursday, in Los Blancos’ final training session before their Copa del Rey win over Atlético Madrid. The Austrian has now missed the club’s last five games in all competitions.
Alaba trained alongside his team-mates on Tuesday and Wednesday, but didn’t feel good when the squad went through its paces on Thursday morning, and opted against returning to action in the Madrid derby. The 30-year-old could make his comeback in Sunday’s LaLiga clash at home to La Real, but it will depend on how he progresses between now and then.
Mendy ruled out with hamstring injury
Meanwhile, Mendy was substituted against Atlético with a hamstring problem and is definitely out of this weekend’s game at the Bernabéu. The left-back will undergo tests on Saturday to ascertain the exact extent of the injury - and could be facing up to a month on the sidelines.
Rodrygo OK for Sunday despite derby knock
Forward Rodrygo Goes also hurt himself in Thursday’s Copa tie, but his availability for the clash with La Real does not appear to be in doubt, after he came through a fitness test in training on Friday. The Brazilian, who came on as a substitute to score Madrid’s equaliser in a 3-1 quarter-final win over Atlético, was forced off in extra time after suffering a knock to his calf.
Madrid are also likely to be without Dani Carvajal on Sunday - the right-back is recovering from a hamstring issue - and Lucas Vázquez is out until February with an ankle problem.
Tchouaméni nearing fitness return
In better news for Ancelotti, Aurélien Tchouaméni looks to be closing in on a return to the team; however, he is unlikely to be rushed back. Like Alaba, the midfielder has sat out Madrid’s last five matches with a calf injury - and, in view of the relapse suffered by the Austrian, Madrid are likely to err on the side of caution when it comes to the young Frenchman’s recovery.
Forward Eden Hazard, who has been sidelined in recent days by an ankle sprain, is now training as normal once more.