Spain international is in a race to be fit for meetings with Juventus and Barcelona
Real Madrid are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of Dean Huijsen, with the young defender still not cleared to return ahead of the upcoming clásico.
Huijsen dropped out of Spain’s squad for October’s qualifying matches after medical scans confirmed a muscle injury, understood to have been sustained during Madrid’s 3-1 win over Villareal.
It was originally believed the 20-year-old would be back in two weeks but his progress has been slower than expected, which means it is now doubtful whether he can participate against Barcelona.
The Spanish centre-back spent the international break in a rehabilitation programme at Valdebebas after withdrawing from the Spain squad. He has combined gym work with physiotherapy and light conditioning sessions, but has yet to rejoin full team training.
Club doctors remain cautious because soleus injuries could easily flare up again if not fully healed, according to AS.
Huijsen’s situation means he is the third defender out for Los Blancos, after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal were both ruled out for weeks with muscle problems.
Huijsen is already guaranteed to be out against Getafe at the weekend, but the race is now on to be fit ahead of meetings with Juventus in the Champions League and Barcelona in La Liga.
