After missing Real Madrid’s last two games and the November international break, including England’s last two Euro 2024 Qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, Real Madrid will likely have England midfielder Jude Bellingham for this weekend’s La Liga fixture.

Bellingham sustained a shoulder injury just before resuming camp with the Three Lions, which forced him to pull out of Gareth Southgate’s camp. England will go on to beat Malta 2-0 and draw 1-1 with North Macedonia to seal the top spot in the group.

After withdrawing from the squad, he returned to Spain to continue his treatment, and on Tuesday, the 20-year-old returned to training with the Los Blancos ahead of the weekend’s game against Cadiz in La Liga.

Bellingham’s return is a big boost for the Los Blancos, who have had to endure injuries to Camavinga and Vinicius Junior most recently.

The England international joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and has been an important figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, scoring 13 goals and three assists in 14 goals in all competitions this season.

The Italian manager has been surprised by the midfielder’s start to life at Santiago Bernabeu, praising his football knowledge.

“What is surprising about Bellingham is that he is only 20. It feels like he’s 30. For his character, his personality. He is always focused on the match, he knows what he needs to do, and this is rare in a 20-year-old player. Then you have all his qualities, his physical strength, his skills. It is surprising; we are all a bit surprised. Bellingham plays like a veteran. He’s got a fantastic attitude. We didn’t want a draw, and his equaliser changed the dynamic of the game. From then on, we had more strength and more energy, and they started to show more weakness; until that moment, they had been the better side.” said Ancelotti.

Real Madrid are second on the La Liga table behind Girona with a two-point difference in 13 matches and two ahead of Barcelona in third place.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu