Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dealt a major injury blow after finally finding his form for the Spanish giants.
Alexander-Arnold joined the La Liga outfit in the summer from boyhood club Liverpool and has had a difficult adjustment period so far, dealing with a number of injury issues and competing with Dani Carvajal for a starting spot.
But the England international finally registered the first assist of his career with Los Blancos in Wednesday night's 3-0 win over Athletic Club, setting up Kylian Mbappe's first goal of the night.
However, the right-back was forced off with a thigh problem in the second half, and it has now been revealed that he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as a result.
Alexander-Arnold Out for Two Months
real madrid trent
After receiving treatment on the pitch during the game, the 27-year-old was replaced in the second half and after undergoing a scan it has now been revealed by Fabrizio Romano that the defender will miss around two months of action.
The former Liverpool man has suffered a thigh strain and is now set to miss several games for Xabi Alonso's side, just as it looked like he was going to start finding some form.
So far this season, Alexander-Arnold has made 11 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, with seven starts combined, and the assist for Mbappe was the first goal contribution he has registered since his summer move.
But he will now be out until the new year and could miss all of January too, which means he will likely miss all the remaining Champions League League Phase games as well as a number of La Liga games, with Real Madrid currently top of the table.
Alexander-Arnold World Cup Dream Over?
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Real Madrid
The injury to Alexander-Arnold could well mean that the player's hopes of making it into Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad are all but over now too.
Trent hasn't featured in any of the recent squads for the Three Lions camp, but with no England games until March there was a chance for him to put a run of form together and earn an opportunity to impress.
But now he is unlikely to be back at his best before that break, and with a call-up seemingly highly unlikely, it means Tuchel won't get a look at him before having to pick his final squad in the summer. Alexander-Arnold will be gutted, but England have plenty of options that means they don't need to take the risk.
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