Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly unlikely to feature in his club's fixtures at the Club World Cup.
Having starred in the final of the Champions League versus Liverpool, the Belgian played an influential role in ensuring that Real were able to qualify for the tournament in Morocco.
However, ahead of Sunday's La Liga encounter against Mallorca, Courtois suffered an injury which led to him being withdrawn from the starting lineup.
After the game, one which Los Blancos lost 1-0, boss Carlo Ancelotti told reporters: "In a long pass in the warm-up, he had a problem and we changed him. Let's see tomorrow."
With Real due to travel on Monday evening, there is minimal time to assess Courtois and whether he will be able to represent the Spanish giants in the global tournament.
© Reuters
According to The Athletic, it has already been determined that the 30-year-old will not board the plane with the rest of the squad.
That would leave Courtois with Tuesday and Wednesday to recover from what is described as 'minor muscle damage' in order to feature versus Al Ahly in the semi-final.
The report suggests, however, that Courtois is more likely to sit out the week in its entirety, with the third-placed playoff and final being staged just three days after the last-four encounter.
Should his absence be confirmed, it would represent a significant blow to Real, with Courtois having made 24 starts this campaign and the team currently struggling on the pitch.
© Reuters
As a result of their defeat to Mallorca, Real now sit eight points adrift of leaders and rivals Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Real face a hectic schedule over the coming weeks, with two top-flight fixtures on the calendar before the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Liverpool on February 21.
Furthermore, Barcelona are the opponents in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, the first leg being staged on March 2, and Ancelotti will want Courtois to have fully recovered from any injury issues before the high-profile double-header.
Andrey Lunin, who has played on eight occasions during 2022-23, is in line to deputise for Courtois in Africa.
Darren Plant
