Real Madrid star limps out of pre-season training

A member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid was forced into a premature departure from group training on Monday.

That’s according to Blancos reporter Mario Cortegana, who points towards Jesús Vallejo as the player in question.

Stopper Vallejo, for his part, linked back up with parent club Real this summer, following an injury-ravaged campaign on loan at Granada.

Whilst, initially, he was expected to be swiftly moved on once more, however, the situation has since undertaken an altogether unexpected change of direction.

With Nacho having departed, and first-choice defensive target Leny Yoro now plying his trade with Manchester United, Vallejo looks increasingly likely to stay put in Spain’s capital for the season ahead, to act as cover for a depleted central defensive core.

In turn, it will no doubt mark a source of concern for those of a Blancos persuasion to hear that the 27-year-old, once again, is struggling for fitness.

After being labelled a doubt to take his place on the club’s pre-season tour of the USA, Vallejo, on Monday, took his place in group training alongside the rest of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad in Chicago.

The powerful stopper, however, was ultimately forced to limp out of proceedings.

As per the aforementioned Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, as much came owing to ‘muscular problems’.

Medical tests will now follow, with it remaining to be seen whether or not Vallejo is facing up to a spell on the sidelines.

Conor Laird | GSFN