Jude Bellingham 'very frustrated' by injury setback

Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has said there is "nothing I hate more" than being forced to miss games after being sidelined with a calf injury.

Bellingham suffered the problem during a training session and is tipped to miss around a month of action until late September. Not only would he be ruled out of a number of upcoming Madrid games in La Liga and the new-look Champions League, but England's first two UEFA Nations League fixtures.

"Nothing I hate more than missing games but trying to see the positive side and maybe my body is telling me it needs a bit more rest after a busy year," Bellingham posted on Instagram.

"I'm very frustrated but I'll be supporting the lads like a fan until I can rejoin them again in my best and strongest form," he added.

Bellingham made 42 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions last season, scoring 23 goals and going all the way in both La Liga and the Champions League. But he also suffered a dislocated shoulder and an ankle sprain during the campaign that he played through.

The young midfielder then went to Euro 2024 with England, playing close to every minute of the tournament. He then missed Madrid's pre-season programme in order to rest and recover, but was back in the starting XI as the European champions faced Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup just one month after England had faced Spain in the Euro showpiece in Berlin.

If Bellingham is to miss all games until late September, he stands to be ruled out for La Liga fixtures against Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Alaves, as well as matchday one of the Champions League's new league phase against a yet to be determined opponent.

England will face Republic of Ireland and Finland on 7 and 10 September respectively.

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