Real Madrid goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez is in contention to make his first-team debut in Saturday's La Liga clash with Valencia.
Los Blancos' number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has recently been absent due to a muscular problem which he sustained on international duty with Belgium, which has allowed Andriy Lunin to feature between the sticks.
Lunin is nursing a calf issue ahead of the game with Valencia, though, making the Ukraine international a doubt.
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Courtois will again be absent against Valencia, but the experienced stopper should be fit to tackle Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final next week.
Should Lunin also miss out against Los Che, then there will be a Los Blancos debut for Gonzalez, with the 19-year-old bidding to make his first appearance for the senior side after 17 outings for Real Madrid Castilla.
© Imago
Gonzalez could make Real Madrid debut against Valencia
"There is no concern. Firstly, because Courtois is much better, we believe he can make it to Tuesday. For tomorrow's game we have a doubt about Lunin, who is going to be tested today in training," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference.
"And if he's not well, we have total confidence in Fran. He's a great goalkeeper, the only problem he has is that he's young, but sooner or later your time will come.
"If his time comes tomorrow, we will be very happy for him, because we are all convinced that he has a great future as a goalkeeper. So, no worries on our part in this regard."
Gonzalez has been with Real Madrid since 2022, making the move to the capital giants after a campaign in the National League with the Cultural Leonesa's Juvenil B team.
Los Blancos are currently second in the La Liga table, three points behind leaders Barcelona, so there is pressure on the capital team to secure all three points against Valencia.
Matt Law
