Real Madrid will be without the services of David Alaba, Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and Arda Guler for Saturday's La Liga contest with Girona.

Militao and Courtois remain on the sidelines with long-term knee injuries, while Guler is absent with a thigh problem that he suffered after returning to training following a minor knee operation.

Alaba is the latest player to join the injury list, with the Austria international picking up a groin problem in the first half of the 2-0 win over Las Palmas on Wednesday evening.

Antonio Rudiger was also a doubt for the game with Girona due to a knock, but he has been included in the squad for the top-of-the-table contest.

© Reuters

"We're fine, we're going to play an important game against the leaders and we'll try to do our best. We have Rudiger back, the team is tired but with a lot of enthusiasm and we're going to do well," Ancelotti told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"Alaba has a complaint and could be fit on Tuesday."

Vinicius Junior made his return from a hamstring injury off the bench against Las Palmas, and the Brazil international has now been confirmed as a starter against Girona.

"Vinicius is fine and will play from the start and let's see how long he can last. I think he can play 90 minutes, it depends on what I ask of him. He is fully recovered," said Ancelotti.

"The system won't change but we will introduce small changes to be more solid."

© Reuters

Alvaro Carrillo is the surprise name in the squad, with the 21-year-old benefitting from the defensive absentees to be selected for the first team.

Girona have made an excellent start to the 2023-24 campaign, currently sitting top of the table with a total of 19 points from their seven matches, one point ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.

"We have to believe in the table. Girona have done better than everyone and we have to respect them. They are not playing in Europe and that is an advantage for them," said Ancelotti.

"What affects teams the most are the international competitions. There are injuries, fatigue, there's no time to recover."

Ancelotti again has a big decision to make when it comes to the involvement of experienced duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and he refused to confirm whether either would be in the XI against Girona.

Real Madrid squad vs. Girona:

Lunin, Kepa, Pineiro; Carvajal, Nacho, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Carrillo; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim