Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Jude Bellingham is unfit to play for Real Madrid in their LaLiga clash against Real Sociedad on Saturday, while midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will also be absent.

Bellingham suffered a muscle injury to his right leg last month, with sources telling ESPN he will be out until after this week’s international break.

The England star did not train with his Real Madrid City team-mates on Friday morning, and neither did Tchouameni, although two other injury doubts, defenders Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy, did.

“They won’t play tomorrow,” Ancelotti said, when asked about Bellingham and Tchouaméni in his pre-match press conference. “It’s too early. We’ll see if they’re available on Tuesday in the Champions League (against VfB Stuttgart).”

Champions Madrid have drawn two of their opening four LaLiga games so far this season, leaving them four points behind rivals Barcelona.

The team’s new attacking line, which now includes summer signing Kylian Mbappé, is not performing optimally. Ballon d’Or candidate Vinícius Júnior has scored just once in those four games, from the penalty spot.

“He is not at his best but he is defining for us,” Ancelotti said, when asked about Vinicius. “We are not in a hurry. The team has scored goals and he has been important… I am very happy with what he is doing.”

Ancelotti denies Vinicius has been distracted by interest from Saudi Arabia. ESPN reported last month that the Brazil international had postponed a decision on his future until next summer.

“I don’t know if (Vinicius) had an offer or not,” Ancelotti said. “I speak to everyone every day, and we’ve never talked about that subject. Vinicius loves football so much that anything outside of it doesn’t bother him.”

Team-mate Rodrygo admitted this week he was “angry” not to have been shortlisted for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, saying his versatility had affected his development, but Ancelotti said he was not worried about jealousy in the dressing room.

“If it happens, I will detect it,” Ancelotti said. “In the dressing room there is a very good, healthy atmosphere… (Rodrygo) deserved to be (on the shortlist) and I understand that he is angry.

“Someone has forgotten what he did in the Champions League, scoring against (Manchester) City and being important. It is a virtue that he is a wildcard, that he can play in many positions and always does well.”

Real Madrid reached an official agreement with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin on Friday over a new contract that will run until 2028.