Real Madrid team news before Monchengladbach: Ramos, Carvajal, Odegaard

Dani Carvajal is ready to make his return for Real Madrid when they face Borussia Monchengladbach in their must-win final Champions League group tie in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

Carvajal will be a big boost for under-pressure coach Zinedine Zidane, whose side must beat the German outfit if they are to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

The Spanish defender, who has not played since 25 November against Inter after picking up a muscle injury, had returned to training with the group but as of yesterday it was uncertain whether he would be fit for availability on Wednesday.

However, following a successful training session on Tuesday, the Madrid-born right back will be ready for inclusion in Zidane’s squad for Monchengladbach. What remains to be seen is if the French coach will opt to put him in the starting XI or if he will feature off the bench.

Ramos’ welcome return for Real Madrid

What had been more certain was the return of captain Sergio Ramos, who also offers a major boost to Zidane’s defensive line. The captain has fully recovered from a hamstring tear sustained in Spain’s 6-0 win over Germany in mid-November. His last game for Madrid was the 4-1 defeat to Valencia on 8 November.

Ramos had already returned to group training before last weekend’s 1-0 win at Sevilla, but the French coach opted not to risk the veteran defender for the trip to the Pizjuán with the crunch tie against Monchengladbach firmly in mind. It is almost a certainty that the 34-year-old captain will start alongside Raphael Varane in the centre of defence.

Odegaard, Hazard, Valverde

One player who did not train with the group was Martin Odegaard, who is pending tests that will reveal the extent of the muscle problem he suffered recently.

Also missing were Eden Hazard, Mariano and Fede Valverde, all three of whom continue their respective recoveries and remain unavailable to Zidane.