Real Madrid will be without the services of five players for Wednesday night's La Liga clash with Elche.
Carlo Ancelotti's side beat Al-Hilal 5-3 in the Club World Cup final on Saturday to lift the trophy, and they are now looking to return to winning ways in the league, having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Mallorca in their last domestic contest on February 5.
Vinicius Junior is suspended for Real Madrid against Elche due to the booking that the Brazil international picked up in the loss to Mallorca.
Thibaut Courtois is also missing, with the Belgium international not yet ready to return from the thigh issue that kept him out of the Club World Cup, so Andriy Lunin will continue between the sticks.
Toni Kroos will also be absent for the Spanish champions on Wednesday due to a stomach illness.
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"Courtois and Kroos will not play tomorrow. Courtois will return versus Osasuna on Saturday," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
Ferland Mendy remains on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, while Eden Hazard is not yet ready to return from a muscular issue, so Los Blancos will be missing five first-team players for this match.
However, Lucas Vazquez is back in the squad after more than a month out with an ankle sprain, while Eder Militao is also available despite not being used in the Club World Cup final following an injury.
"Lucas Vazquez and Militao will return tomorrow," confirmed Ancelotti on Tuesday.
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Real Madrid are currently well-stocked at the back, with the return of Vazquez boosting the team's options at right-back, with Ancelotti hinting that Eduardo Camavinga will not continue on the left side of the defence.
"He has been very good but now [David] Alaba is back and there's also Nacho. I'm thinking about what to do. Camavinga will play in that position only if needed," said the Italian.
Karim Benzema returned from injury against Al-Hilal, with the Frenchman on the scoresheet in the 5-3 success, and he will again feature against Elche.
Real Madrid are currently second in the La Liga table, 11 points behind division leaders Barcelona, who have played a game more than their Clasico rivals.
Real Madrid squad vs. Elche:
Lunin, Lopez, Canizares; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger; Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Arribas; Benzema, Asensio, Rodrygo, Mariano
Matt Law
