Luka Modric is a fresh injury blow for Real Madrid, with the Croatian midfielder out of the squad for Saturday's La Liga clash with Almeria due to a hamstring injury.
The 37-year-old was substituted in the 63rd minute of Tuesday's 4-2 defeat at Girona, and he was later seen with an ice pack on his left thigh.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Modric would be missing against Almeria and was also a doubt for the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna next weekend.
Modric is one of three injured players for the Spanish and European champions this weekend, with Ferland Mendy still out with a calf issue, while David Alaba remains unavailable due to a hamstring problem.
© Reuters
However, there is good news on the availability front, with Thibaut Courtois available to return between the sticks after missing the defeat to Girona through illness.
Dani Ceballos will also return following suspension, while Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard are back in the squad following their absences against Girona due to minor injury problems.
Ancelotti hinted during his press conference that Ceballos would come into the side against Almeria, with the Spaniard boasting 'similar characteristics' to Modric.
"The one I see as the most similar in terms of characteristics is Ceballos," said the Italian.
Real Madrid remain second in the La Liga table, but they are only two points clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid and sit 11 points behind division leaders Barcelona.
© Reuters
Ancelotti is confident that his players have "got the message" following the disappointment of the defeat at Girona.
"I think they got the message. They've done well defensively. I think they will play differently tomorrow than they did against Girona," he added on Friday.
"I'm an optimist by nature, I see a good atmosphere but it's true that sometimes you don't understand certain things, like with Girona, but we're motivated and with maximum enthusiasm. We want to repeat last year.
"It's not a problem of getting stuck in or not, it's a problem of concentration. You can never always be at your best. We have already said, and we are not the only ones, that the calendar is very tight. There are good days and others a bit less."
Real Madrid have two more league matches against Almeria and Real Sociedad before facing Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final, which comes three days ahead of the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City at Bernabeu.
Real Madrid squad vs. Almeria:
Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger; Kroos, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano
No Data Analysis info
