Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has named Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Arda Guler in his squad for Wednesday's La Liga clash with Mallorca.
Vinicius has been missing since suffering a thigh injury while representing Brazil during the November international break, and it had initially been thought that he would be out until the end of January.
However, the 23-year-old was able to step up his rehabilitation over the winter break, and he is now in contention to take to the field against Mallorca.
Carvajal is also back from the calf problem which he suffered at the start of December, while Guler is in line to make his debut, with the Turkey international recovering from his latest injury.
There are still notable absentees, though, with Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy out alongside Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, who have been missing since August.
© Reuters
David Alaba is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Nacho is suspended, which is likely to lead to Aurelien Tchouameni lining up in the middle of the defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is in the squad, but Ancelotti said during his press conference that Andriy Lunin would start, as the former is dealing with an illness.
Alvaro Carrillo has benefited from the defensive injuries to make the squad, while Nico Paz has also kept his place in the selection.
"The desire is to start this part of the season well. We've had good news in the last training sessions: many players are coming back. We will try to play a good game to start the year well," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
© Reuters
The Real Madrid head coach also insisted that he would not rush Guler's return despite the attacker being in the squad for the clash with Mallorca.
"Guler is important that he is well. He is getting back to his best and we should not be in a hurry with him. He is 18 years old and has all the time in the world to be with us. If it's not tomorrow, it will be in the next game," he said.
The Turkey international has suffered three separate injury problems during his short time at the club, but he was also able to step up his rehabilitation over the winter break.
Real Madrid, who will not be signing a new centre-back in January, are currently top of the La Liga table, level on points (45) with second-placed Girona.
Real Madrid squad vs. Mallorca:
Lunin, Kepa, Fran; Carvajal, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Carrillo; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler, Paz; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim
Matt Law
