Jude Bellingham is poised to miss England‘s upcoming clash with the Republic of Ireland next month. The Three Lions face a significant blow to the start of their Nations League campaign at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on September 7 with Bellingham struggling with injury.
Spain-based reports are casting doubt over the 21-year-old’s availability, fearing he might not take to the pitch until post-international break.
Real Madrid issued an official statement saying: “Following tests carried out today on Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid’s medical team, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the plantaris muscle in his right leg. His progress will be monitored.”
With Los Blancos due to face Real Valladolid this Sunday and subsequent La Liga clashes with Las Palmas and Real Betis, Bellingham’s presence is keenly missed.
The England team, under the stewardship of interim gaffer Lee Carsley, faces a double-header – first against Ireland on foreign soil followed by a match with Finland at Wembley.
England vs Ireland also marks Heimir Hallgrimssons managerial debut for the Irish. Hallgrimsson has made it known that former interim manager John O’Shea and coach Paddy McCarthy will play influential roles in selecting the maiden squad.
The Ireland squad is set to be announced on Thursday, August 29.
Hallgrimsson, during a fan Q&A at the Aviva Stadium, said: “I’m not going to even try to lie about being an expert on Irish players, so that is why it is so important to have Paddy and John with me.
“This selection of the squad will probably be more or less based on their opinion, because there are three or four games maximum that the players have played in the league and you can’t jump in and say, ah, you played really good yesterday, you should be in the Irish squad.
“So they know the character of the players. And as time goes on I will definitely know more and more, so I can take over more of the selection or have more to say.”
“But that is one of the reasons. I think it is really strong to have these two guys in the coaching staff. They have been in the last four matches and the changes I saw in those games, I thought they were good, kind of in the right direction, I would say, in my opinion.
“So just complimenting both of them, especially John, being the head coach for four games it’s probably tough to step down and say, I’m okay being an assistant.”
“I promise you he is going to be as much of an influence as me on selection or what we are doing. I will use him for advice as much as I need to.
“I am not afraid, if somebody knows more than me or is more intelligent than me, I am happy working with those kinds of people who can help me grow as a person and a coach.
“He is definitely one of them. He knows the players, the culture and he has a lot of respect in the country. So I am really lucky having him with me.”