Real Madrid will be without Jude Bellingham and Ferland Mendy for Friday night's difficult visit to play Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.

Jude Bellingham (R) of Real Madrid vies with Antonio Sanchez of Mallorca during their La Liga match in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

The England midfielder, who scored an injury-time winning goal against FC Barcelona last weekend to virtually assure Real Madrid the La Liga title, is suffering from a stomach bug and won't travel.

Mendy also misses out after the left-back missed last weekend's win against FC Barcelona with a minor injury, but forward Rodrygo has been included in the squad despite suffering from flu.

Although Rodrygo travels to the north of Spain, he is likely to start on the bench, with Brahim Diaz and Joselu leading the Real Madrid attack, while Eder Militao could make his first start in central defense after breaking his cruciate knee ligament in August.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press ahead of the game in which he is expected to rest several more first-team regulars with an eye on Tuesday's visit to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Ancelotti explained that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was close to recovering from the meniscus ligament injury he suffered last month, when on the verge of recovering from the knee ligament injury that struck him down at the start of the campaign.

"Courtois is good and I think he will be available next week to travel with us and to play against Cadiz," commented Ancelotti, whose side is 11 points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Real Sociedad is currently sixth in La Liga, with a three-point lead over seventh place Betis and a win would help their chance of assuring a place in next season's UEFA Europa League.

The club will be able to welcome back attacking midfielder, Brais Mendez for the game, but is without full-backs Hamari Traore and Kieran Tierney for Friday night's game.