Carlo Ancelotti says Kylian Mbappe could be in contention to start for Real Madrid against Lille on Wednesday after missing the Madrid derby with a thigh injury.
The 25-year-old suffered the problem during Madrid’s 3-2 victory at home to Alaves in La Liga and was expected to be ruled out for around three weeks. However, he has been included in Madrid’s squad for the midweek Champions League fixture after recovering “very quickly”.
Ancelotti said a decision on Mbappe’s availability would be made after training on Tuesday and explained the club would not be taking any risks with the France international.
“Mbappe has recovered well, very quickly,” the Madrid manager said. “Only yesterday he trained individually. He didn’t stop for long and he hasn’t lost his condition.
“Today (Tuesday) he will train the whole training session. We will make the most appropriate decision today, bearing in mind that we are not going to take any risks.”
Ancelotti continued: “He has had an overload. They’re talking about (a) grade I (hamstring injury) . In the old days it was an overload. With the new technology, he’s fine. He’s here to play. We’re not going to take any risks. Obviously if there is no risk, he will play from the first minute.”
Mbappe sat out his side’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Sunday — the first game he has missed since moving to Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. He has scored seven goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season.
Should he be passed fit to play, Mbappe could feature against the club where his younger brother, Ethan Mbappe, has been since the summer.
However, Ethan, 17, has been ruled out for “several weeks” with a muscle injury. He expressed his desire one day play against his sibling.
“My dream of facing my brother in the Champions League is distant, but it has not disappeared,” he wrote on social media.
Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois for Wednesday’s fixture, with the goalkeeper expected to be sidelined until after October’s international break due to an abductor injury in his left leg.
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