Real Madrid star Arda Guler was handed a devastating blow as he picked up another injury just as he was ready to return to action.
The summer signing from Fenerbahce is yet to appear for Real Madrid, having been injured since pre-season, but looked set to make his debut today against Las Palmas before picking up a thigh injury in training yesterday.
Real Madrid fans will now have to wait longer to see him in action, with ESPN reporting that he is set to miss the next three weeks with injury.
In what is a busy period for Real Madrid, who also have a number of other injury problems, this is far from ideal, and Guler will now miss what would have been a good opportunity to gain match fitness.
What games will Arda Guler miss?
Carlo Ancelotti’s side face four games before the October international break, and if Guler is set to miss three weeks, he could target a return in the match away at Sevilla on October 21st.
He looks certain to miss today’s game against Las Palmas, as well as tough matches away to Girona and Napoli before a home game against Osasuna.
It remains to be seen what kind of role he could be used in by Ancelotti, with Jude Bellingham currently playing at the tip of a midfield diamond. Guler could perhaps come in as a midfield option which could see Bellingham drop deeper, or he may be used in a role similar to Luka Modric.
Ancelotti’s system has received criticism since the loss to Atletico Madrid at the weekend, and Guler’s return may have seen him adopt a different formation to accommodate the teenager.
Real Madrid’s midfield depth means that they will continue to cope without him for now, but fans will be eager to see the talent, who has been compared to Mesut Ozil, feature soon.