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REAL MADRID

Real Madrid's 11 players on FIFA duty for their countries

Santiago Solari will have his fingers crossed that he has no new injury problems to worry about after the final international break of 2018.

Sergio Ramos entrenando con la Selección.
RFEF

Santiago Solari will sit through his first international break since taking over as Real Madrid manager. And with the prospect of the 'FIFA virus' potentially affecting 11 of his LaLiga squad, he'll no doubt have a number of nervous moments over the coming few days.

FIFA Virus threat

Los Blancos players away with their countries are Courtois, Ramos, Varane, Kroos, Modric, Valverde, Ceballos, Isco, Asensio, Bale and Vinicius, the latter of whom is with the Brazilian U-20s. This exodus actually amounts to fewer players than normal given that the likes of Carvajal and Marcelo remain out of action from injury, and Casemiro and Nacho have both joined those on the treatment table following the game in Balaídos.

Another national team main stay is Keylor Navas but he has agreed with Costa Rica not to travel so that he can get special stem cell treatment to strengthen his knee.

Varane and Bale concerns

A couple of immediate concerns for the newly appointed coach is that both Raphael Varane and Gareth Bale have been called up for their countries' Nations League committments despite fitness concerns. The French defender arrived at Clairefontaine after having not been available for Madrid at the weekend, with Holland and Uruguay games scheduled. Bale took a knock in Vigo but may be involved as Wales prepare for a big match tomorrow against Denmark.

It's young Brazilian Vinicius who will have the longest trip before returning to the Spainish capital, as he flies over 16,000 kilometres for two friendlies against Colombia.