Revealed: Jude Bellingham learns severity of his hamstring injury

Jude Bellingham has been ruled out for around month after he was left in tears following what had appeared to be a worrying injury on Sunday, reports in Spain have claimed.

The England and Real Madrid midfielder was forced off in the 10th minute of Sunday’s 2-1 La Liga victory Rayo Vallecano after pulling up while chasing a loose ball.

Bellingham’s team-mates attempted to console the 22-year-old as he could be heard screaming in pain.

Pictures during the warm-up indicated that the midfielder had been feeling discomfort in the left hamstring before he still lined up for Alvaro Arbeloa’s side. He managed to start the game, but left the field crying not long after kick-off.

It put his potential World Cup spot in doubt, with the tournament, which will be played in North America, now just four months away.

But Thomas Tuchel may be able to breathe a sigh of relief after it was reported that Bellingham will miss a month of action, with the hope that he will be fit to return to action at the start of March.

'Following tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg,' Madrid said in a statement. They added: 'Awaiting evolution.'

After medical staff came on to the pitch to treat Bellingham, both they and Real's players signalled that the 22-year-old needed to be replaced.

Although a stretcher was brought closer, it wasn't required, and the midfielder was able to leave the pitch by himself, although Spanish outlet Marca reported that the injury looked to be 'significant'. 

The Bernabeu crowd were said to be left shocked by what had gone on and Bellingham's setback came with the former Borussia Dortmund star having played every game bar one since he returned to fitness in September after shoulder surgery. 

England will be keeping a close eye on developments over the coming weeks and will be mindful of the potential lack of match rhythm for their talismanic midfielder, should he face any setbacks in his recovery.

That could act as an unsettling backdrop to the build-up to the World Cup before England face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L.

Bellingham's injury also brings back memories of past tournaments when key England stars have faced fitness issues ahead of major tournaments.

A notable example of this happened in 2006 when Wayne Rooney broke a metatarsal before that summer's World Cup.

The then-Man United striker was rushed back and played in the tournament, but he was nowhere near full match sharpness and failed to score before being sent-off in the quarter-final as England were knocked out. 

Bellingham was among those jeered by Real supporters in direct response to the dramatic defeat at Benfica last week.

They are currently one point behind La Liga leaders Barcelona having won all of their last six league games. But, when they face Benfica in their Champions League play-off round, they will have to do so without Bellingham.