Real Madrid lose Alvaro Carreras to calf injury ahead of Man City tie

Real Madrid's preparations for the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Manchester City have been hit by another setback as young full-back Alvaro Carreras has been ruled out with a right calf muscle injury sustained from a heavy blow in the defeat to Getafe.

He is expected to be sidelined for about a week, leaving Ferland Mendy to step up and adding to head coach Alvaro Arbeloa’s selection challenges while key attackers remain unavailable. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are still in recovery and will not be fit to start on Wednesday despite pushing to return.

Mbappe was seen doing gym work and individual drills on the grass but did not touch the ball, and the club are taking a cautious approach to have him ready for the return leg at the Etihad. Rodrygo continues with preparatory work ahead of his scheduled surgery.

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