Kylian Mbappe injury: Progress and potential return date | OneFootball

Real Madrid had started to hit their stride after a shaky start to the campaign but the defending Spanish and European champions suffered a setback on Saturday evening.

Their frustrating 1-0 defeat at Espanyol allowed rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to close the gap in the title race, with injuries to Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger only leading to more misery for Los Blancos.

All three will prove sizeable misses for Madrid, who have an important and potentially season-defining few weeks ahead. They will compete in the Copa del Rey, Champions League play-offs and, of course, La Liga, but they're now left sweating over the fitness of their star players.

Having found some impressive form in recent weeks, Mbappe's absence could prove decisive. Here's the latest injury news regarding the French superstar.

What injury does Kylian Mbappe have?

A challenge from Carlos Romero caused the issue / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

Despite soldiering on until the final whistle in Catalonia, the incident that caused Mbappe's knee injury came on the hour mark. As Madrid's No.9 sprinted clear on the counter-attack, a lunging and reckless challenge from left-back Carlos Romero raked down the back of his leg.

Carlo Ancelotti was left furious by the decision of referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz, who only brandished a yellow card for Romero, while VAR opted against upgrading the decision to a red card. To make matters worse, the Espanyol defender then proceeded to score the winner in the 85th minute.

Speaking before the Copa del Rey clash with Leganes on Thursday night, Ancelotti revealed that Mbappe had suffered a bruised knee in defeat at the RCDE Stadium.

When will Kylian Mbappe return from injury?

Kylian Mbappe shouldn't be out for too long / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

The fact that Mbappe was able to play the rest of the final half-hour following Romero's nasty challenge is a positive sign and Ancelotti has confirmed that the Frenchman isn't expected to be missing for too long.

"Mbappe started training normally again [on Wednesday], he has a bruise on his knee. We gave him a bit more recovery time, but he will not be available [against Leganes]," Ancelotti confirmed.

Given Mbappe is already back in training, it seems likely that he will be involved in Saturday's crucial top of the table clash with city rivals Atletico. Los Blancos will need all the attacking firepower they can muster against Diego Simeone's rigid outfit, especially given they will be without Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao in defence.

Madrid follow their derby day in La Liga with a gargantuan match against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League play-off clash.