Real Madrid rocked by two more injury blows on international duty

The French Football Federation have confirmed Real Madrid duo Ferland Mendy and Aurelien Tchouameni have been forced to withdraw from international duty through injury.

Madrid have already been without Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham in recent weeks, while the club confirmed earlier this month that another midfielder, Dani Ceballos, had suffered an ankle injury - with reports suggesting he could be on the sidelines for close to two months

The fitness issues do not stop there for Madrid, as it was confirmed that left-back Mendy suffered a knock to his right tibia which forced him to withdraw from the France squad.

With the news of that injury still fresh, the Spanish giants suffered yet another blow with the revelation that Tchouameni had injured his left foot and, following an examination from the team doctor, had departed the France camp.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti made no secret of his dislike of the international break, because of the injury risk that always seems to come with it.

"The international break is not a good thing," he stressed. "We will lose players. I hope no injuries occur, I want the players to return fit."

Madrid are back in action against Real Sociedad on September 14, giving Tchouameni and Mendy less than two weeks to shake off their respective issues.

If Mendy is unfit, Ancelotti will likely turn to Fran Garcia to start the game, but Tchouameni's injury stands to be more problematic in a position which has already been severely hit by injury.

As it stands, Federico Valverde and Luka Modric are the only natural central midfielders available to Ancelotti.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP