Konate returns to Real Madrid training as Mbappe continues recovery alone

Ibrahima Konate returned to full Real Madrid training on Tuesday, while fellow France international Kylian Mbappe worked separately from the squad as he continues his recovery from injury.

Konate suffered an injury to the lateral ligament in his right leg during France’s training camp at the start of the international break. He was subsequently withdrawn from the squad and returned to his club.

The defender took part normally in Tuesday’s session.

Mbappe, however, trained on his own as he continued his rehabilitation. The forward was substituted in the 59th minute of France’s Nations League group-stage match against Turkey after scoring the only goal of the game.

Real Madrid later announced that Mbappe would be unavailable for two weeks after suffering a muscle strain.

The Spanish club is also refusing to rush the France captain back following a knee injury, preferring to give him sufficient time to recover fully before he returns to competitive action.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported that Real Madrid did not want to take any risks with Mbappe or accelerate his recovery. The club is understood to be planning to rest him against Villarreal in the eighth round of La Liga and against Roma in the second round of the UEFA Champions League.

That would allow Mbappe to target a return against Sevilla in the ninth round of La Liga, the match immediately before Real Madrid face Barcelona in the 10th round.

Mbappe has made eight appearances for Real Madrid this season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists.

Real Madrid are fourth in the La Liga table with 15 points. The club’s next match is against Villarreal on Saturday in the eighth round of the league.