MADRID, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid's England international midfielder, Jude Bellingham, will be out of action for at least three weeks after the club confirmed the seriousness of the ankle injury he suffered on Saturday evening.
The midfielder was forced to leave the pitch early in the second half of his side's 4-0 win at home to Girona, shortly after scoring his second goal of the game. Bellingham was then pictured sitting in the dugout with an icebag on his left ankle.
The club carried out tests on Sunday and published a medical report explaining: "Following tests carried out today on Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a high-level sprain in his left ankle. His recovery will be monitored."
The news means Bellingham will miss his side's visit to play RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday and will be a serious doubt for the return leg three weeks later.
He will also miss La Liga games against Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, Valencia and possibly Celta Vigo, which is a big loss for Real Madrid considering Bellingham has scored 16 league goals and four in the Champions League, making him the club's top-scorer this season.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will also have problems in his defense next week, with Antonio Rudiger, Nacho Fernandez, Eder Militao and David Alaba all out through injury. ■
