Real Madrid learn extent of Ferland Mendy injury

Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy is expected to miss up to six weeks after suffering a thigh injury in the Copa del Rey quarter-final.

The 27-year-old limped off just before half-time of the 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid and sat out the goalless draw with Real Sociedad as a result.

Real have now confirmed that Mendy has been diagnosed with a muscle injury which local reports believe could keep him sidelined for up to six weeks, which comes as a major blow at such a crucial point in the season.

Trailing Barcelona by five points in La Liga, Real have tough league meetings against the likes of Valencia and Real Betis to look forward to in the next six weeks, as well as a Madrid derby against rivals Atletico on February 26.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men are also due to travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona on March 19, giving Mendy a real race against time to be fit for such a crucial fixture.

In the Champions League, Real will also have to cope without Mendy for the last-16 first leg against Liverpool at Anfield on February 21. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will head to Madrid for the return leg three weeks later on March 15.

Left-back is a position in which Real are not blessed with real depth. Nacho Fernandez, a centre-back by trade, has often been used there but was needed on the right against Sociedad, forcing midfielder Eduardo Camavinga to line up on the left.

“[Camavinga] did well,” Ancelotti said of the Frenchman’s performance. “He is not used to it but, with him and with Vinicius, we created many opportunities on that flank.

“He is an option we can use, even if he is not comfortable. He gives us energy, which he contributes as a midfielder and also as a winger. In that area, with Vinicius, the full-back must be more on the inside, and he does that very well.”