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Real Madrid missing two players for Mallorca clash


 Real Madrid will be without the services of Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba for Saturday's La Liga clash with Mallorca, but Rodrygo has been declared fit after a fitness scare.

Courtois and Alaba remain absent due to knee injuries, but Los Blancos are otherwise in strong shape, with Vinicius Junior back in a league squad, having missed out against Athletic Bilbao through suspension.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make changes to his XI following Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City, with the second leg due to take place next week.

Rodrygo had emerged as a doubt for the game with Mallorca when he was unable to train on Friday due to a knock, but the Brazil international has been named in the squad.

Eder Militao is being tipped to make just his second start of the campaign and his first since damaging his ACL last August against Athletic Bilbao.

Should the centre-back come through the clash with Mallorca unscathed, he could start against Man City next week, as Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for the return game in Manchester.

"The whole squad will be available and the priority is tomorrow, not Manchester. We have a lot at stake, but like all teams. We remain confident and tomorrow is vital," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference.

"I repeat what I said: they are all available and tomorrow I will put out the best team. Militao is also available."

Militao in line for a start against Mallorca
Ancelotti has confirmed that he is considering starting Militao in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, with the Italian having no concerns over the length of the defender's absence.

"It's a thought we have in our heads, but if I see a player well, I don't think about the minutes he's played or the time he's been out," said the Italian on Friday when questioned on the South American.

"I put someone in a Champions League final who was coming off injury and I did it because I saw him well. The question is whether he is available."

Nacho, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos, Arda Guler, Joselu and Brahim Diaz are among those pushing for starts this weekend, and a win for Real Madrid against Mallorca would allow them to open up an 11-point lead at the top of the La Liga table.

Real Madrid squad vs. Mallorca:

Lunin, Kepa, Mario de Luis; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim

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