Real Madrid are hopeful that Antonio Rudiger will be able to overcome a thigh injury to line up in the middle of the defence against Atletico Madrid in Sunday's Madrid derby.

Rudiger was forced off at the interval of Thursday's 2-0 win over Getafe due to a thigh problem, which led to Aurelien Tchouameni being pressed into action in the middle of the defence.

Tchouameni's late booking on Thursday has ruled him out of the clash with Atletico through suspension, though, and both Eder Militao and David Alaba are long-term absentees with serious knee injuries.

As a result, Nacho could be the team's only senior centre-back available for this match, which would lead to either Dani Carvajal or Ferland Mendy being pressed into action in the middle.

Rudiger's issue is an impact injury rather than a muscular one, though, and there is hope that he will be able to prove his fitness ahead of the clash with Diego Simeone's side, having been named in the squad.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti will make changes from the Getafe clash, with Eduardo Camavinga and Toni Kroos expected to come into the midfield, while Carvajal will return at the back.

Joselu came up with a brace against Getafe, but it is likely that he will be back on the bench for this match, with Rodrygo set to feature alongside Vinicius Junior.

Ancelotti continues to change his goalkeepers around, but after keeping a clean sheet against Getafe, Andriy Lunin could again be given the nod between the sticks for the Madrid derby.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius

Written by
Matt Law