Real Madrid will take on Celta Vigo on Friday night in La Liga, aiming to bounce back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats to Osasuna and Getafe in the competition.

However, they will have to do so without the services of several important players, including Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

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The French superstar, who suffered a relapse of a knee injury last week, is currently in Paris, where he flew to get a second opinion on his problem after allegedly not being entirely happy with how Real Madrid’s medical staff had handled things.

Bellingham follows the Mbappe plan

Now, according to MARCA, Bellingham, too, has decided to follow the ‘Mbappe plan’ and has travelled to London in search of a second medical opinion regarding his injury.

The delay in the recovery of his semitendinosus injury in his left leg has been decisive in the decision to consult another specialist, under the club’s direct supervision.

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Club sources indicate that Bellingham has been in London for several days, accompanied by the head of the club’s medical services, Dr Niko Mihic, as part of the usual external consultation system implemented by the latter.

Bellingham has been out for over a month. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

This move is not a request from the player. According to those at Valdebebas, it is the club that proposes these second evaluations when they believe they may help optimise diagnoses and recovery timelines.

Real Madrid have therefore defended Mihic’s method after confirming that the trips made by Mbappe and Bellingham to their respective countries were decisions taken by the head of the medical department.

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Bellingham’s absence, which has already lasted more than a month, is a significant concern, which is why the club decided to seek another opinion in case the recovery process could be shortened.

As things stand, the expectation is that the England international will return in early April, potentially in time for the hypothetical UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg, provide Real Madrid qualify.