Espanyol have been dealt a potentially significant injury blow just one day before their highly anticipated La Liga clash against Real Madrid.

The club confirmed on Saturday that midfielder Cyril Ngonge was forced to sit out training with the rest of the squad after suffering a contusion in his left knee, according to a report from Mundo Deportivo citing Espanyol themselves.

This setback comes at the worst possible time for the Catalan side, who are deep in preparations for Sunday evening's showdown with the reigning champions. Ngonge's availability for the match now hangs in the balance, leaving manager Manolo González with a selection headache ahead of one of the biggest fixtures of the season.

Since arriving at the RCDE Stadium from Serie A side Torino late in the winter transfer window, the versatile Belgian has quickly become a key figure in the squad. With nine appearances already under his belt, Ngonge has not only shown his reliability but also contributed two assists, proving his value in the final third.

For Espanyol, losing a player of his calibre—especially against a team of Real Madrid's stature—would be a tough pill to swallow. Fans will be anxiously awaiting further updates on his condition as kickoff approaches. Stay tuned for more on this developing story, and in the meantime, gear up for the big match with our latest collection of Espanyol and Real Madrid apparel!