Real Madrid suffer injury scare ahead of Bayern Munich second leg

Real Madrid were handed an injury scare on Thursday when Aurelien Tchouameni limped out of training.

Whether in midfield or helping out in defence, Tchouameni has been an integral part of Madrid's setup this season. He played the full 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Bayern in midweek, even playing in a number of positions to help his side get back into the game.

Carlo Ancelotti's preparations for the return leg next week were handed a blow on Thursday as AS report that Tchouameni limped out of training after suffering a knock to his left foot.

Tchouameni has battled a handful of injuries to the same foot all season and it's claimed that club doctors were initially worried about his condition,. But it was soon decided that the 24-year-old, signed for a fee of around €80m in 2022 six months before he starred for France at the World Cup, had avoided anything serious.

The midfielder was back in training on Friday, although reports suggest the decision has already been made to rest Tchouameni this weekend against Cadiz with a view to protecting him for the Bayern game next Wednesday.

Ancelotti is expected to rest a number of his starters this weekend, perhaps including England international Jude Bellingham, who was withdrawn late on in the first leg against Bayern despite Madrid still trailing at the time.

"Bellingham has simply had an intestinal virus that has not given him a chance to recover 100%," the Italian insisted. "Now, he is very well, he will do very well as he always has."

Arda Guler has been confirmed as a starter for the Cadiz game, which will also see Thibaut Courtois make his first appearance of the season after battling back from a serious knee injury.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP