Real Madrid 'could have five players back for Shakhtar Donetsk clash'

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly hopeful of having five of the team's injured players back for the Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on October 19.

Los Blancos were missing Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Gareth Bale, Isco, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz for the 2-1 loss to Espanyol before the international break.

According to Marca, none of the injured players have returned to full training, but Mendy took part in a section of the main session on Thursday, while Asensio trained individually.

The report claims that Bale and Ceballos will definitely be absent against Shakhtar, but Ancelotti is hopeful that as many as five of the injured players could be available for the team's next game.

Los Blancos had been due to face Athletic Bilbao in La Liga after the international break, but the match has been postponed due to the South American World Cup qualifiers.

As a result, Real Madrid's next confirmed league fixture is against Barcelona on October 24.