Real Madrid face a crucial selection call ahead of their La Liga derby trip to rivals Atletico Madrid on September 29.
Both sides are unbeaten so far in league action this season, after seven games played, but Barcelona are leading the way at the top of the table.
Los Blancos secured a 3-2 midweek home win over Alaves in the Spanish capital but lost key star Kylian Mbappe to injury in the second-half.
The France captain will miss his first Madrid derby through injury with a thigh problem likely to keep him sidelined until after the October international break.
Carlo Ancelotti will now need to reshuffle his starting options to take on Diego Simeone’s team at the Estadio Metropolitano on Sunday night.
With Brahim Diaz already out, and Eduardo Camavinga struggling to be back fit in time, the Italian is expected to go for a change in personnel, but more importantly, in formation.
Mbappe’s summer arrival created a wave of questions over where he would fit in Ancelotti’s plans with Vinicius Junior locking down the left-side of his attack.
Vinicius Jr has remained in place, with Mbappe through the middle, as part of an improving front three, alongside Rodrygo Goes.
For the trip across Madrid, Ancelotti is set to rehash his 2023/24 lineup of 4-3-1-2, with his two Brazilians in a front two, with Jude Bellingham in an attacking No.10 spot.
Bellingham smashed in 19 league goals in his debut 2023/24 campaign, primarily deployed as a hybrid No.10, and he will make a derby return to that role against Los Rojiblancos.
The 21-year-old has excelled in a deeper role of late, despite his injury issues, but he will be looking to try to score a first club goal against Atletico Madrid this weekend as Mbappe watches on.
