JUDE BELLINGHAM has made a surprise return to Real Madrid colours – in time for a potentially awkward reunion with Mason Greenwood.
star Bellingham had been expected to be out until at least next month after he underwent shoulder surgery.
Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham has returned to training after a shoulder injury
Bellingham could be set for an awkward reunion with Marseille’s Mason Greenwood
But Three Lions ace Bellingham, 22, was named in the 23-man squad for Tuesday’s opener against Marseille.
And that means he can come up against former striker Greenwood – 19 months after a huge on-pitch blow-up in a LaLiga game between Madrid and Getafe.
Bellingham was reported to LaLiga bosses after being accused of during a bad-tempered exchange.
He initially faced a potential ban, before intervened to urge the investigation to be dropped.
Nevertheless, the bad blood between the pair may not have dissipated, although will be looking to make an impact on the pitch if Real boss Xabi Alonso wants to give him his first minutes of the season.
While Bellingham’s status at Madrid is not in doubt, Three Lions team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold might be excused for wondering if he made a mistake in leaving a guaranteed starring spot at Liverpool for bench-warming duties at the Santiago Bernabeu.
, omitted by Thomas Tuchel for this month’s World Cup qualifying wins over Andorra and Serbia, has only started two of Madrid’s four games so far this season.
Veteran Dani Carvajal, 33, appears to be Alonso’s preferred starting right-back and the new coach’s praise for his old-timer will not have filled the Englishman with confidence that he will start tomorrow.
Alonso said: “With Carva, there’s one aspect that hasn’t changed, and that’s the competitive gene he has. He came here in 2013-14 and already had it.
“Since he arrived from [Bayer] Leverkusen, he’s been so important; he gave us so much, and we won the Champions League.
“That hasn’t changed. But his influence, his maturity, being the captain, the respect he has, and his responsibility to the group have evolved.
“Now that he’s fit and well enough to play, he has a very important positive influence on the rest. These leaders who need to flourish are fundamental.
“We need this powerful core to pull the rest of the squad forward. Carva has been embracing that. He saw others through, and now it’s his turn.”
Real’s preparations were disrupted when Spanish doping control officers – dubbed “vampires” by the Spanish media – made an unexpected visit to the club’s training ground, demanding samples from a number of players.
But for the new coach, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, his first match in the competition in charge of his new side represents a significant milestone.
Alonso added: “We’re approaching it with the utmost excitement that comes with playing in the Champions League with Real Madrid.
“It’s special for this team, and playing at the Bernabeu, with its history, is even more motivating.
“People are eager to take steps forward, to continue growing, and to play against a demanding, high-level opponent. We hope to start well.”
