Mourinho watching: will the Real Madrid star feature against Villarreal?

Real Madrid trio train away from the group

Real Madrid trained on Thursday morning with their full complement of internationals, though some will only rejoin the group tomorrow, the day before Saturday's match against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu in the eighth round of the Spanish league.

Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella trained separately from the group, according to the newspaper "Marca".

The biggest question, though, hangs over Fede Valverde. He is working indoors and has not been ruled out against Villarreal despite suffering a third-degree ankle sprain during the Madrid derby on 20 September.

A role against Villarreal looks unlikely given the severity of the injury, especially as he has yet to train with his teammates.

Even so, every indication suggests that if he isn't ready for this one, the Uruguayan will be fit to face Roma next Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League.

Raul Asencio, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo are all pressing on with their recovery programmes. All three are confirmed absentees for now.

There was better news elsewhere. The Real Madrid coach welcomed back Kylian Mbappe, who picked up an injury in France's first match during the international break but will be available in the Spanish league after completing most of his rehabilitation in Paris with the club's approval. Ibrahima Konate also returns, having recovered from the collateral ligament injury he suffered at the end of September while on duty with the French national team.