Real Madrid confirm second season-ending defender injury after Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid have confirmed left-back Ferland Mendy has torn a thigh muscle which is expected to keep him sidelined for the Club World Cup this summer.

Tuesday was a particularly bruising day for Madrid, who saw confirmation that centre-back Antonio Rudiger's domestic campaign is over after undergoing surgery. He is expected to miss up to two months.

Just hours later, club medical staff confirmed the injury Mendy suffered last month has been diagnosed as a thigh muscle tear.

His minutes will be given to Fran Garcia, who is the only natural alternative in the squad. Versatile midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who has helped out at left-back in the past, is sidelined with his own injury.

Centre-back Eder Militao is still sidelined, as is right-back Dani Carvajal, who is optimistically aiming to return at the Club World Cup this summer.

As the time of this announcement, Madrid had five healthy defenders, but that number has subsequently dropped to four after confirmation of another injury to David Alaba.

Carlo Ancelotti can now call on Raul Asencio and Jesus Vallejo as his starting centre-back, while Lucas Vazquez is the only option on the right side.

Vazquez was shown a red card in the Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona last time out, but any subsequent suspension he receives is likely to be limited to the same competition and will only kick in next season. Whether he will still be at the club next year, however, is a different matter, with his contract up in the summer and Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to join from Liverpool.

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