Report: Real Madrid make shock change to Jude Bellingham's injury return date

Real Madrid are looking to accelerate midfielder Jude Bellingham's return from injury and could call on the Englishman for their first game after the international break.

A foot injury saw Bellingham sidelined on August 18 and he was expected to miss over a month of action with an issue that was serious enough to keep him out of the England squad for September's fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Few had expected to see Bellingham back in action this month but, according to The Athletic, the 21-year-old is being lined up to make the trip to Real Sociedad on September 14.

Not only could Bellingham travel, but manager Carlo Ancelotti is considering handing him minutes as he seeks to combat an injury crisis which has worsened over the international break.

Eduardo Camavinga remains sidelined, while Dani Ceballos is expected to miss around two months with an ankle injury. Aurelien Tchouameni withdrew from the France squad earlier this week after picking up a problem, as did left-back Ferland Mendy.

The injury issues did not stop there. Centre-back Eder Militao was released from the Brazil setup after complaining of a thigh problem, before news of a two-week absence for 19-year-old defender Jacobo Ramon began to surface. Paired with David Alaba's long-term injury, Ancelotti now has a major issue at centre-back.

Those mounting issues could prompt Ancelotti to recall Bellingham early, although AS still expect the midfielder to miss another three weeks.

Madrid are under pressure after a lacklustre start to the campaign which has yielded just eight points from four games. While they may sit second in La Liga's standings, they have already fallen four points behind Hansi Flick's Barcelona.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP