The situation with Jesé is the first cause célèbre Rafa Benítez is having to deal with in the Real Madrid dressing room, particularly in light of the club's desire for the home-grown gem to cement his place in the big time this season.

Indeed, this hope is what led the Bernabéu higher-ups to turn down Benítez's request for another striker to be signed to offer competition and cover for Karim Benzema. The coach twice asked for another marksman - Fernando Llorente was his first pick - but was rebuffed on both occasions.

The club decided to get firmly behind Jesé, ruling that it would therefore be counterproductive to add another attacker to the roster, unlike last season when Javier Hernández came in.

The odds seemed to be stacked in Jesé's favour when the campaign kicked off. Benítez did not rock the boat and set about working with the young Spaniard in mind. Benzema's injury on tour offered him a golden opportunity to hand the 22-year-old a starting berth.

However, things have taken an unexpected turn in recent weeks and there is a real risk of a wrangle ensuing if Jesé continues to be frozen out. The present scenario is awkward for the club, considering its stance, and for the starlet, who is facing the prospect of another year on the fringes.