Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Real Madrid handed double injury boost for Shakhtar Donetsk clash

sportsmole.co.uk, 4 October 2022, 19:21
Real Madrid have been boosted by the returns of Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez to their squad for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.

Modric was absent against Osasuna in La Liga at the weekend due to a muscular problem, but Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti said last week that the issue was 'not very serious'.

The experienced midfielder returned to training on Monday and has been included in the squad for the European contest with Shakhtar.

Meanwhile, there is also a return for Vazquez, who has been sidelined with a muscular problem since the contest with Mallorca on September 11.

"The idea is to see if he can be there on Wednesday and then Saturday. Same idea as with Modric," Ancelotti told reporters when questioned ahead of the league game with Osasuna.

Vazquez is yet to feature in the Champions League this season, but he has played four times in La Liga and scored on the opening weekend of the campaign against Almeria.

Real Madrid are missing two first-team players for the European contest, though, with Thibaut Courtois sidelined due to an ongoing back problem.

Courtois missed out against Osasuna due to an issue with his sciatic nerve, and Ancelotti said ahead of this match that the Belgium international was also a doubt for the weekend clash with Getafe.

Dani Ceballos, who played 53 minutes of the 1-1 league draw with Jagoba Arrasate's side, is also out of the contest with Shakhtar due to a hamstring problem.

"We're without Courtois still, and he'll also be doubtful for Getafe on Saturday, and we're without Dani Ceballos too, due to a hamstring issue, but Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez are back. I'm still not sure if Modric will start the match, though," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of the match.

Lucas Canizares is the player to benefit from Courtois's absence, with the 20-year-old being included in the squad alongside Andriy Lunin and Luis Lopez in the goalkeeping department.

Jesus Vallejo and Alvaro Odriozola have both had their injury problems in the early stages of this season, but the pair are also in the selection for this contest.

There had been a doubt over Eduardo Camavinga when the midfielder missed Monday's training session, but the Frenchman is also in the squad and will be battling for a starting role on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid squad vs. Shakhtar:

Lunin, Luis Lopez, Canizares; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rudiger, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Vazquez., Tchouameni; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius., Rodrygo, Mariano

Top News

23 November 2024 talksport.com Mikel Arteta left Arsenal fans confused with a much-changed starting XI to face Nottingham Forest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has insisted Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham are best served to stay put for the time being despite being linked with moves away from the club. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has lavished praise on Mason Mount and suggested that the Englishman will be an important player for him at Old Trafford. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Mary's is the venue for Sunday's meeting between the Premier League's leaders and basement boys, as Liverpool take on 20th-placed Southampton in a 2pm kickoff. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Philippe Senderos played against countless Premier League legends, but one stands out as the toughest. 23 November 2024 talksport.com The second half in Chelsea's clash against Leicester City was delayed due to two officials being forced to change their roles. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Ex-Premier League striker Darren Bent could not believe Wilfred Ndidi escaped a red card against Chelsea. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained why Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto were left out of his squad to face Leicester City. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Christopher Nkunku is unhappy with the little game time he receives at Chelsea and is considering his future, according to reports. 23 November 2024 talksport.com New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed he is a huge fan of Mason Mount. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is facing a couple of critical decisions for Monday's Premier League fixture with Newcastle United at St James' Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca has made several surprise inclusions in his Chelsea XI for Saturday's Premier League fixture at Leicester City. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe will be unable to call upon Dan Burn for Monday's Premier League clash with West Ham United at St James' Park. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hoping to win three straight Premier League games for the first time in over 12 months, Newcastle United host a troubled West Ham United at St James' Park in Monday's Premier League offering. 23 November 2024 talksport.com Brentford may have managed to seamlessly replace Ivan Toney with Bryan Mbeumo, but this might not be a long-term solution. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly facing an anxious wait to determine the severity of Reece James' latest hamstring injury. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal have reportedly been handed a boost in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane set a new Bundesliga record on Friday, eclipsing a feat previous held by Erling Haaland in the process. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both stuck inside Serie A's drop zone and facing a season-long scrap for survival, Venezia and Lecce will meet at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Monday evening. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Trailing their visitors by one point in the Serie A standings, Empoli will attempt to leapfrog Udinese with a win at Stadio Castellani on Monday evening. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Eyupspor vs. Caykur Rizespor (Saturday, 10.30am) Eyupspor and Caykur Rizespor will kick off round 13 of the Turkish Super Lig when they go head-to-head at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium on Saturday. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Go Ahead Eagles vs. Almere City (Saturday, 3.30pm) Two teams who could really do with a victory kick off round 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Go Ahead Eagles welcome Almere City to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia vs. Betis (Saturday, 1.00pm) Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hellas Verona vs. Inter Milan (Saturday, 2.00pm) One of six sides within two points of the Serie A summit, reigning champions Inter Milan continue their title defence on Saturday, when they visit Hellas Verona. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk B. Leverkusen vs. Heidenheim (Saturday, 2.30pm) Xabi Alonso will hope that his Bayer Leverkusen side can return to winning ways when they welcome strugglers Heidenheim to BayArena in their 11th Bundesliga game of the campaign on Saturday. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lens vs. Marseille (Saturday, 4.00pm) Saturday evening will see Lens welcome Marseille to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in one of the standout games in Ligue 1 this weekend. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers vs. Dundee Utd (Saturday, 3.00pm) Rangers, aiming to build consistent form after a challenging start to the season, host Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership. 23 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Moreirense and Porto return to action in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal when they go head to head at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Sunday.