AfriPulse
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is fit to face Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie – but midfielder Jude Bellingham will not feature despite travelling over for the match.
France international Mbappe, 27, was diagnosed with a left knee sprain at the beginning of March and has been missing from Real’s line-up since their La Liga game against Osasuna on 21 February.
Bellingham sustained a hamstring injury less than 10 minutes into a league game against Rayo Vallecano on 1 February and left the field in tears.
The 22-year-old midfielder had initially been expected to miss about four weeks, but the injury was found to be more significant than first thought.
Bellingham was included in Real’s travelling party for Tuesday’s fixture, but boss Alvaro Arbeloa said he will not feature against City.
“Bellingham wanted to come with his teammates to be with the team. He will continue and do part of the training, but he won’t be available tomorrow,” Arbeola told a news conference.
“Mbappe is already available, so you will see him. I am eager to have him on the field, to enjoy him and his goals, but also in the game, he will be a very important player.”
Bellingham’s absence had raised doubts about his availability for England’s friendlies later this month against Uruguay and Japan.
Arbeloa said he was “very happy” to see Bellingham “getting closer” to a return and acknowledged his presence will lift Real’s squad for the game.
“It will be very important for his team-mates to see him training today and tomorrow before the match, at half-time, or afterwards,” he added.
“He is a player who will be one of the leaders, and he already is. It’s very important that he is here with us.”
Real travel to Manchester in control of the tie, having won the first leg 3-0 at the Bernabeu last Wednesday when Federico Valverde scored a first-half hat-trick.
The margin of victory could have been greater, but City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Vinicius Jr’s penalty early in the second half.
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