Chelsea handed boost as Real Madrid suffer fresh injury blow ahead of second leg

Chelsea have been handed a boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg with Real Madrid on Wednesday, as defender Raphael Varane has been ruled out of the tie.

A statement on Real's official website confirmed Varane had undergone tests to determine the problem and diagnosed an injury to his right abductor muscle.

No mention was made as to whether the centre-back would be fit for the clash at Stamford Bridge, but reports in Spain claim Varane will play no part.

Madrid have a number of other players fighting their way back to fitness.

Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vasquez are still doubts for the fixture, though Federico Valverde is expected to be available after previously testing positive for coronavirus.

Losing Varane is a bitter blow to Madrid's chances, but they have already dealt with his absence before.

Zinedine Zidane's side played both legs against Liverpool in the quarter-finals without the Frenchman, with Eder Militao and Nacho deputising at the back.

This time round Zidane could have captain Sergio Ramos to call upon if he manages to complete his recovery from a calf injury.

Chelsea have some fitness concerns of their own prior to the return after Mason Mount fell awkwardly during Saturday's win vs Fulham.

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Mount was later substituted and was seen holding his back on his way off the pitch, but boss Thomas Tuchel expects him to be fit and available.

"I hope Mason will be okay," said Tuchel after the game. "I don't think it was a big thing but we took him off so he can recover ahead of Real Madrid."

"It was my decision - there was not any doctor or physio who told me to take him off," he said. "But I saw him landing hard and it was the moment anyway when we wanted to take him off anyway.

"I saw him holding his back slightly, so we didn't want to take any risks but I have no other information on that."