Real Madrid confirm ankle sprain for Jude Bellingham

The England international scored a brace in his side's 4-0 success but had to be replaced in the 57th minute of the game after suffering an ankle sprain.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said after the game with Girona that he was still hopeful of having Bellingham available for Tuesday's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.

However, the 20-year-old, who has scored 20 times and registered eight assists in 29 appearances for Los Blancos, is now facing a spell out with the problem.

"Following tests carried out today on Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left ankle. His recovery from him will be monitored," read a statement on the club's official website.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bellingham is set to be on the sidelines for the next two to three weeks, with his return potentially coming at the start of March.

The Englishman has scored 16 times and registered three assists in 21 La Liga appearances this season, while he managed four goals and three assists in five Champions League group-stage matches.

Nacho will be back for Real Madrid on Tuesday, with the Spaniard recovering from the muscular problem which forced him to miss out against Girona.

However, Antonio Rudiger will remain unavailable for selection due to a thigh issue, while Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba are long-term absentees.

Bellingham's absence will open up a spot in the starting side on Tuesday, and Ancelotti has suggested that it will be filled by either Brahim Diaz or Joselu.

"There are games he hasn't been involved in and others have come in and contributed a lot, like Brahim and Joselu," he added during his press conference.

Bellingham is expected to miss Real Madrid's next four matches against Leipzig, Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla and Valencia ahead of a possible return for the second leg of their last-16 Champions League tie with Leipzig.

Real Madrid's four-goal success over Girona in the Spanish capital allowed them to open up a five-point lead at the top of the La Liga table.