Jude Bellingham is a major doubt for England’s Nations League internationals next month after suffering a leg injury in training with Real Madrid.

Interim boss Lee Carsley looks set to be without the midfielder for the opener against Republic of Ireland in Dublin on September 7, followed by Finland at Wembley three days later.

And that could yet prove a blow to his chances of landing the job on a permanent basis, given the importance of Bellingham to the team.

A statement from the Spanish club revealed: ‘Following tests carried out today (Friday) 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.’

Reports in Spain suggest the problem will keep him sidelined for up to a month, and that would see him miss Real’s next three La Liga fixtures.

Jude Bellingham is set to be out for a month after suffering plantar fasciitis in his right leg

He played 88 minutes of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca in the first game of the domestic season, having created a goal for new signing Kylian Mbappe during the team’s 2-0 win over Atalanta in the European Super Cup four days earlier. 

Boss Carlo Ancelotti has described the issue as a ‘knock’ and said Real were ‘evaluating’ the situation.

However, it is almost certain Carsley will be forced to pick a team without arguably his best player. 

Phil Foden could be moved infield from the left wing, the position he populated for much of Euro 2024. And that could open the door for Anthony Gordon to start on the left, with the Newcastle man having won the Under-21 Euros with Carsley in 2023.