Jude Bellingham injury: Real Madrid and England await a muscle injury

If the injury rules Bellingham out of the March international break, it could be a devastating blow to his chances of starting for England in their World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17.

For the past 12 months, he has been locked in a battle with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers for a place in Tuchel’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

But at the moment, it would be fair to say that Rogers, last year’s PFA Young Player of the Year, is leading the race by some distance.

The 23-year-old was a cornerstone of England’s record success in World Cup qualifying. They scored 20 goals and did not concede in eight matches.

Rogers’ bid for a top spot in time for the World Cup was aided by Bellingham’s previous spell on the sidelines, which meant he missed the international breaks in September and October.

Bellingham and Rogers had contrasting seasons. Rogers became the talisman and focal point of a Villa team searching for Champions League football.

On the other hand, Bellingham has been booed by Real Madrid fans at the Bernabeu in recent weeks, and coach Xabi Alonso was sacked this month.

A spell on the sidelines is the last thing Bellingham needs at such a crucial time of the season.