Relief for Real Madrid as serious injury ruled out for star defender; player available vs Villarreal | OneFootball

Real Madrid fans woke up to the worst possible news this morning, as Ibrahima Konate left the French national team camp after picking up a knock.

The defender suffered a sprain in his right knee during a training session on Wednesday and was subsequently released from the French squad.

This raised alarm bells within the Real Madrid camp, especially after the club had lost Federico Valverde to a fresh injury.

No serious injury for Konate

No alarm bells on Konate’s fitness. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, journalist Arancha Rodriguez has offered a critical update on the fitness of Konate.

He has ruled out a serious injury for the former Liverpool defender, adding that tests conducted in France revealed no such red flags.

This could serve as a major relief for Real Madrid, who couldn’t have afforded the injury to another centre-back, especially with Eder Militao still sidelined.

Konate is expected to return to Madrid, where he may also undergo some tests to determine the true extent of his knock. But for now, everything suggests a minor problem that can be overcome during the course of the international break.

Konate available for Villarreal game

Konate to be available vs Villarreal. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Keeping that in mind, Arancha Rodriguez suggests Konate will be available at Jose Mourinho’s disposal when Real Madrid restart their campaign against Villarreal next month.

It remains to be seen whether or not Mourinho will take the risk, though, given that he cannot afford Konate to aggravate his injury.

But Mourinho’s hands could be tied given that Dean Huijsen has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card against Atletico Madrid.

If Huijsen misses out, the Real Madrid manager may have no option but to field Konate. Therefore, the club will be banking on the French international to fully recover during the course of the international break.

The coming few weeks, therefore, could be crucial not just for Konate but for Real Madrid as well, with the club also keeping an eye on Valverde’s recovery.