Carlo Ancelotti confirms Jude Bellingham & Vinicius Jr availability for Madrid derby

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he expects both Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior to be fit enough to feature in Sunday's Madrid derby.

Ancelotti's side take on city rivals Atletico on Sunday evening and fans had been sweating over the fitness of both Bellingham and Vinicius. While the latter has missed the past few weeks with a hamstring injury, goalscoring phenom Bellingham was forced to withdraw from training on the eve of the game through illness.

To be without arguably their two greatest goal threats would come as an enormous blow to Madrid, but thankfully, Ancelotti expects to see both players in action on Sunday.

Beginning with Bellingham, the manager revealed: "It was a small thing. He felt ill but he's recovered. He will be at the game."

As for Vinicius, Ancelotti revealed the Brazilian forward has been back in training and, although not yet fully fit, is ready to return to competitive action.

"The injury is forgotten," he admitted. "He'll be in the squad. Tomorrow we'll see what role he plays in the game."

Asked whether he was taking a risk by bringing Vinicius back for this game, Ancelotti continued: "The risk is zero. If we think there's a 1% risk tomorrow we won't take it. The important thing is Vinicius has recovered. He lacks a bit of conditioning but that's normal."

Madrid remain without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Eder Militao, but there was a positive update regarding midfielder Arda Guler, who underwent knee surgery shortly after joining the club this summer.

"Arda will return to training on Monday," Ancelotti confirmed.

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