Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Arda Guler will be in the squad for Sunday's La Liga contest with Rayo Vallecano at Bernabeu.
The Turkey international is yet to make his debut for Los Blancos, as he underwent a knee operation in August and then picked up a thigh problem in the latter stages of his recovery.
Guler has been back in training over the last week, though, and Ancelotti has confirmed that the 18-year-old will be in the squad against Rayo in Spain's top flight.
"Guler started training with the team this week. Tomorrow he will be in the squad. Little by little, he's going to get more and more minutes," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
"He is an offensive player. He can play as an attacking midfielder, as a centre-forward, and as a right winger with his left foot. He can also play as an inside player."
🆙 @10ardaguler 🆙#RMCity pic.twitter.com/tTTGeWrXyj
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 4, 2023
Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao remain long-term absentees due to serious knee injuries, while Aurelien Tchouameni is out for the remainder of the year due to a broken foot.
Ancelotti also revealed on Saturday that neither Dani Ceballos nor Ferland Mendy would be available against Rayo, explaining the situations of both players.
"Ceballos returns to work next week. Mendy hasn't had an injury, just an overload and I think he will be ready for the match against Braga. Mendy is the main full-back and in some situations, [Eduardo] Camavinga can also contribute," added the head coach.
Ancelotti has revealed that "there will be rotations" in the team's next three matches, with clashes against Rayo, Braga and Valencia to come before the international break.
© Reuters
"There will be rotations in these three matches. But the priority is tomorrow's game, which we are playing against a solid and very well organised team. The priority is to win tomorrow. After that we'll see," he said.
"It's a time to make a big impact with these three games, in the league and in the Champions League.
"At the moment we have done well at home. It's always going to help us. It's our home and now we can play a good game and keep the lead."
Real Madrid will enter the clash with Rayo off the back of a 2-1 win over Barcelona in El Clasico, with the result moving them back to the top of the La Liga table.
Los Blancos are level on points (28) with second-placed Girona, while they are three clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid and four ahead of fourth-placed Barcelona.
Matt Law
