How Real Madrid could line up for Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk

Real Madrid host Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening in their opening Champions League Group B match.

Los Blancos suffered a first defeat of the season last time out, going down 1-0 to newly-promoted Cadiz, and will be looking to quickly hit back.

However, Zinedine Zidane's men have a daunting trip to Barcelona to come next weekend and may well have to rotate their squad for this match.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Madrid could line up against Ukrainian champions Shakhtar.

© Reuters

Out: Eden Hazard (muscular), Mariano Diaz (mouth), Dani Carvajal (knee), Martin Odegaard (calf) Doubtful: Alvaro Odriozola (calf), Sergio Ramos (knee)

> Click here for Real Madrid's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Skipper Sergio Ramos was taken off at half time against Cadiz with a minor knee injury and will surely not be risked in midweek.

That frees up a spot for Eder Militao to return to the lineup alongside Raphael Varane, who had a shocker in his most recent European match - a defeat to Manchester City in August.

Karim Benzema played the full 90 minutes once again last time out and could possibly do with a rest ahead of the first El Clasico of the season.

Should that be the case, Luka Jovic may have another chance to prove that he can make it as a Madrid player, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Alvaro Odriozola and Eden Hazard all nursing injuries.

Elsewhere, Casemiro is expected to return to the XI after being benched on Saturday, while Ferland Mendy is in line to replace Marcelo at left-back.