Injury Update on Real Madrid Trio Ahead of La Liga Game Against Valencia

Real Madrid secured a crucial, albeit unconvincing, 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano to stay close to Barcelona in the league standings. The win was significant as Rayo had proven a difficult opponent, with Real Madrid having beaten them only once in their previous five encounters.

Despite a disappointing early exit from the Copa del Rey, the team now has a full week to prepare for their next La Liga match against Valencia on February 8th. This break provides valuable recovery time for injured players.

According to reports, there is positive news regarding three long-term injured defenders: Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy. All three could potentially return to the squad for the Valencia fixture, though they would likely start on the bench to avoid being rushed back.

The defensive injury crisis has forced manager Arbeloa to deploy midfielders like Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the backline. Alexander-Arnold has been out since late November, Rüdiger last played in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final due to a knee issue, and Mendy has been plagued by injuries, playing only 112 minutes this season.

The return of these players, especially Rüdiger with center-back Eder Militão still out long-term, would be a major boost for the squad's depth and stability for the final months of the season.

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