Jude Bellingham injury: Progress and potential return for Real Madrid star

Marco Rose would not believe it until he saw it.

The RB Leipzig manager had worked with Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund and knew that he would "do everything to play" in Real Madrid's Champions League knockout tie against the Bundesliga side despite limping off just three days earlier.

Bellingham had damaged his ankle after scoring twice in Madrid's 4-0 thrashing of Girona, their closest challengers for the La Liga title, at the start of February but Rose wasn't convinced. "I don't believe he'll be out until he's not in the stadium tomorrow," the German insisted.

Rose's fears were not realised as Bellingham watched Madrid's scratchy 1-0 win from Spain, but the dynamo could return for the Champions League second leg against the Bundesliga side.

Here are the latest updates on Bellingham's fitness.

What injury does Jude Bellingham have?

The first wince of Bellingham's evening against Girona arrived inside the opening 45 minutes. While sniffing around the six-yard box in search of another poacher's finish, Bellingham jarred his left ankle.

Just as when the Englishman dislocated his shoulder against Rayo Vallecano in November, Bellingham received treatment on the touchline and carried on. Before the interval, Bellingham doubled Madrid's lead when latching onto Vinicius Junior's outrageous outside-of-the-boot pass from the halfway line.

There were few signs of any lingering damage when Bellingham expertly rounded Paulo Gazzaniga and stuffed the ball into an unguarded net with that troublesome left side. However, Bellingham was clutching the same ankle shortly after the hour mark in the wake of another painful collision.

True to form, Bellingham played through the pain barrier long enough to tap in his second goal of the evening but was granted a reprieve for the final half-hour by Carlo Ancelotti. Madrid confirmed that Bellingham had suffered a "high-grade sprain in his left ankle" the following day.

When will Jude Bellingham return from injury?

Unlike some of Real Madrid's other injured stars, Bellingham isn't expected to be out for too much longer. In fact, Ancelotti has confirmed the England international will feature against Valencia on Saturday night.

He said: "We need to be at our best [Dani] Carvajal, [Eduardo] Camavinga, Joselu, Bellingham are all back.

"[Bellingham] is 100%. Everything he has done and needed to do on an individual level is fine. He is comfortable with his ankle. He is at his best. He is going to play."

That revelation means Bellingham should also be available for the Spanish giants when they welcome Leipzig to the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie on Wednesday.

What Real Madrid games has Jude Bellingham missed due to injury?

Bellingham missed three games for Real after injuring his ankle in victory over Girona, the first of which was that narrow 1-0 win over Leipzig in Europe. Ancelotti's side then travelled to Rayo Vallecano in the league, only managing a 1-1 draw despite Joselu putting them ahead after just three minutes.

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder was also sidelined for last weekend's 1-0 win over Sevilla, with Real failing to score more than once in any of the three matches the 20-year-old missed.

How have Real Madrid done without Jude Bellingham and who has replaced him?

Real Madrid have not been sensational since Bellingham's injury but they have still won two crucial matches, including their trip to the Red Bull Arena. However, Ancelotti will be extremely happy to welcome the attacking midfielder back into the squad to bolster his forward line.

Brahim Diaz has been drafted in to replace Bellingham and has performed well upon stepping into the team, even netting a fantastic winner against Leipzig in the Champions League. Luka Modric was also used in an advanced midfield role during the 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.

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