Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested that winger Eden Hazard will not be fit for Los Blancos’ clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
The Belgian winger has missed the last two matches with what is described as a muscular injury, but did end up appearing for his nation over the latest international break.
Whilst having not aggravated the injury, the workload appears to have taken its toll on the 30-year-old to the frustration of both the player and his manager.
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with the Ukrainian outfit, Ancelotti said: “Hazard is tired of having these problems.
“He is not injured, he has an overload, but I think he will be available for Barcelona or Osasuna.”
The problem is just the latest in a long line of injury issues Hazard has endured since swapping Stamford Bridge for the Santiago Bernabeu over two years ago.
Since then, the two-time Premier League winner has made just 51 outings for Real Madrid, having not yet made more than 16 league appearances in a single campaign.
His goal record is also poor, with just five strikes to his name since his move to Spain - some way below the 21 that he plundered during his final season as a Chelsea player.
Intriguingly, Hazard has recently been linked with a move back to Stamford Bridge in an effort to end his nightmare spell in La Liga.
According to El Nacional, the Belgian sees returning to his former club as a ‘very good option’ for his career having become a Blues icon during his previous spell at Stamford Bridge.
Since arriving from French outfit Lille in 2012, Hazard went on to score 110 goals for the west London club, leading them to two Premier League crowns, two Europa Leagues, an FA Cup and a League Cup.
Current Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has already praised Hazard for the role he played in the history of the club over the last decade.
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Speaking ahead of the Belgian’s reunion with the Blues in last season’s Champions League run, the German said: "He is a top quality player and a key player for many years at this club and this league, the hardest in the world.
"So consistent. I have the biggest respect for him. He is a big player, we have many people here who know him well.
"He was a key player for this club."
