Real Madrid missing four players for vital clash with Girona

Courtois and Militao have been out since August with ACL injuries, but the pair are making strong progress in their recoveries and are expected to feature before the end of the campaign.

The same cannot be said for Alaba, though, as the Austria international will miss the remainder of the season due to the ACL injury that he suffered towards the end of last year.

There is a fresh fitness issue for Real Madrid, meanwhile, with Nacho out of the match with Girona due to a muscular problem which has prevented him from training this week.

There is a double boost for Los Blancos, with Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius Junior both named in the squad.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti said during Friday's press conference that Vinicius, who was unable to face Atletico Madrid last weekend due to a neck injury, is fit to start.

However, a decision on Rudiger will not be made until Saturday morning, with the Germany international bidding to overcome a thigh problem which he suffered against Getafe earlier this month.

Jacobo Ramon is the surprise name in the squad, with the 19-year-old receiving a call-up due to the defensive absentees.

Should Rudiger be passed fit, he is expected to be joined in the middle of the back four by Aurelien Tchouameni, who is available again following a suspension.

However, if the German fails to make it, Dani Carvajal may again be pressed into action in the middle, which was the case against Atletico Madrid last weekend.

Ancelotti also offered no indication of his plans for the goalkeeping position on Saturday, with Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga battling for the gloves.

"The issue of the goalkeepers is an issue that has arisen with the loss of Kepa in November. For me it's not difficult to choose who plays, it's difficult to choose the replacement and I want to have both involved because neither of them deserves to be the replacement," he said.

There had been some concern over Eduardo Camavinga due to a knock which he suffered against Atletico last Sunday, but the France international has been passed fit for this match.

Real Madrid squad vs. Girona:

Lunin, Kepa, Pineiro; Carvajal, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Jacobo; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim