Real Madrid to decide whether 23-year-old defender needs surgery for persistent injury

Real Madrid faces a dilemma regarding their 23-year-old defender Raul Asencio, who is grappling with a persistent shin problem. The club is deliberating over whether to pursue surgical intervention to address the issue or opt for conservative treatment, with a meeting scheduled to take place among Asencio, coaching staff, and medical personnel on Wednesday.

If surgery is deemed necessary, Asencio would be sidelined for approximately three months. The center-back position is already vulnerable, with several key players unavailable or doubtful for the upcoming match against Villarreal. Dean Huijsen is serving a one-match suspension following a red card against Atletico Madrid, while Ibrahima Konate remains doubtful due to a non-playing stint with France.

Additionally, Eder Militao is still recovering from an undisclosed injury and may take several weeks to return to full fitness. Antonio Rudiger, meanwhile, is available but requires careful handling owing to his history of injuries. Amidst this challenging situation, Asencio, despite being an academy product and not having featured for Real Madrid this season, could potentially fill in for the defense.

However, his ongoing shin problem, which has been lingering for months, remains a significant concern for assistant manager Jose Mourinho and the club.