Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are expected to be absent for the Champions League first leg against Manchester City on Wednesday night, according to reports. Both players are recovering from injuries and are unlikely to feature at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe has been sidelined with a left knee problem, while Bellingham is nursing a hamstring injury. Spanish outlet Dario AS reports that Mbappe's knee is responding well to treatment, and Bellingham could potentially return for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on 17 March.
Real Madrid ambassador Alvaro Arbeloa provided an update, saying: 'Yes, I speak to him (Mbappe) every day. We're keeping a close eye on what's happening to him... He's getting better every day.' He confirmed that both players are with club staff: 'Mbappe is in Paris with Real Madrid employees, Bellingham is in London with Real Madrid professionals. Everything is supervised.'
Bellingham's absence also casts doubt on his availability for England's final squad before the World Cup in the United States. Madrid remain optimistic the injury is not serious, and he could be fit for the return leg. Manchester City, meanwhile, will be without Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol for the trip to Madrid, while youngsters Max Alleyne and Nico O'Reilly have minor injuries.
