Real Madrid have deemed Arda Guler unavailable for selection until 2024 to allow him time to ramp up his fitness at their training base.
The 18-year-old is yet to play a single minute of football for Los Blancos following his summer move from Fenerbahce. He was an unused substitute for games against Braga and Rayo Vallecano in early November, but for the most part has battled knee and muscle injuries so far this season.
Guler is currently training on his own at Madrid's Valdebebas training facility, and AS report the club will take precautionary measures to ensure a smooth return to competitive action, ruling him out of senior games until the new year.
While Guler is understandably itching and anxious to return to action, Madrid's medical and technical staff are in no rush to needlessly step up his recovery.
Madrid provisionally see their Copa del Rey tie at Arandina on January 6 as a potential return date, while they are also hoping to count on Guler for their trip to Saudi Arabia for the semi-finals of the Supercopa de Espana against Atletico on January 10.
In addition to Guler, Madrid are also keen to sit Vinicius Junior until 2024 while he recovers from a thigh problem, and there is currently no scheduled return date for Eduardo Camavinga, who is sidelined with a knee ligament injury.
Carlo Ancelotti has had various injury problems to contend with all season long, with his side currently sitting second to Girona in La Liga.
They did, however, secure qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League having won all six of their group stage fixtures.