Rafael Benítez has been relying on second-string players to get Real Madrid through an injury crisis but should have several of his heavyweights back when Paris Saint-Germain visit in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The playmaker James Rodríguez, and the captain and centre-back Sergio Ramos look likely to be fit for the match at the Bernabéu as the record 10-times winners look to pull clear of PSG at the top of Group A.
The midfielder Luka Modric may not be available after he was taken off at half-time in Saturday’s 3-1 La Liga win at home to Las Palmas with a sore hip, while it is unclear when Gareth Bale will return from a calf injury and there are still doubts over the striker Karim Benzema.
With a string of regulars missing in recent weeks, Benítez has deployed youngsters such as Casemiro, Jesé, Lucas Vázquez and Nacho, who all graduated from Real’s reserve team, to keep their season ticking over.
Real remain unbeaten in La Liga and are joint top with champions Barcelona on 24 points after 10 matches. The goal they conceded to Las Palmas – a header at a corner – was the first they conceded at home this season.
“I told the players that these are the games they have to make the most of,” Benítez said. “They are collecting points for us and they are helping us maintain our competitiveness so the team can keep growing.
“When the other players return it will be harder but the important thing is that they are available and they contribute to keeping the team winning.”
Laurent Blanc was pleased to come through Friday’s Ligue 1 match at Rennes with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from the former Real midfielder Ángel Di María and without sustaining any injuries to key players.
The PSG manager, whose side are also unbeaten this season, has been without the centre-back David Luiz after he sustained a knee injury on duty with Brazil.
Real and PSG drew 0-0 at the Parc des Princes last month in their first competitive game in more than 20 years and are tied on seven points from three of six matches.
A win for either side would earn a place in the last 16 should Malmo lose at Shakhtar Donetsk.
