Carlo Ancelotti reveals Kylian Mbappe injury return date for Real Madrid | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappe will be fit and available for Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.

The Frenchman sat out Madrid's 1-0 victory over Athletic Club on Sunday through suspension but was already nursing an ankle issue sustained in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal.

Initial reports downplayed the severity of the damage Mbappe suffered after failing to dispossess Declan Rice and Ancelotti was quick to confirm that his leading scorer would be available for this weekend's showpiece fixture.

Mbappe will be joined in the squad by left-back Ferland Mendy, although neither will be fit enough to feature against Getafe on Wednesday night. "They're not ready for tomorrow, but they can make it to Saturday," Ancelotti bluntly outlined.

Watching on as Federico Valverde rescued a crucial victory with a stoppage-time stunner against Athletic, Mbappe was clearly whistled by sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd when his image was flashed up on the big screen.

Ancelotti would not be drawn on this vocal dissent. "I've read it, but I haven't heard it," the coach huffed. "He's doing everything he can to be there on Saturday."

The Bernabeu can be a demanding audience. Cristiano Ronaldo averaged more than a goal-per-game over a decade-long, trophy-laden Real Madrid tenure but was still the subject of boos and whistles on occasion. Mbappe is posting similar scoring figures to his Portuguese idol this season, yet hasn't enjoyed a universally satisfactory campaign.

After a slow start to his Madrid career, the 26-year-old was widely lambasted for a forceful challenge on Alaves' Antonio Blanco which led to a heartily deserved red card earlier this month.

Ancelotti has publicly mulled over the possibility of lining up with Jude Bellingham in a more advanced central role against Barcelona. Presumably this would be alongside Mbappe, although the addition of the Frenchman has undoubtedly unsettled a side which was crowned Spanish and European champions last season.

"We've changed our game plan a bit, and it's hard for us to find balance," Ancelotti admitted this week. "Let's see if we find it in this final stretch. If we do, we can win."