Real Madrid missing three players for Valencia clash

Real Madrid will be without the services of Lucas Vazquez, Ferland Mendy and David Alaba for Thursday's La Liga contest with Valencia.

Vazquez remains on the sidelines with an ankle issue, while Mendy has suffered a muscular injury in his left leg, which could potentially rule him out for the next two months.

Alaba is also still missing with a calf problem, with the Austria international not featuring for Los Blancos since the league defeat to Villarreal on January 7.

However, the Spanish and European champions have been boosted by the return of Aurelien Tchouameni, who has also been absent since the La Liga clash with Villarreal.

Tchouameni is back in the squad alongside Dani Carvajal, with the latter not featuring in La Liga since the end of December due to a muscular problem.

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"They (Carvajal and Tchouameni) are back and 100% ready to play. Tchouameni will start tomorrow," Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed during his pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Alaba "should be back for the Club World Cup", according to the Italian.

Ancelotti also confirmed that Eduardo Camavinga would again feature as the left-back against Valencia, suggesting that Nacho will continue at right-back.

"Camavinga played as a left-back because it was an emergency. Alaba and Nacho can play there. But Camavinga is also very good in that position. Camavinga will play as a left-back tomorrow," said the head coach.

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Real Madrid were held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad on Sunday evening, with the result leaving them five points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona in the table.

"We played a very good game vs Sociedad. It was a complete performance. We are improving in every aspect," added Ancelotti.

"Five points between us and Barcelona? We feel confident. We feel good and we know we can fight for all the titles. The schedule is crazy. There is a limit, and they have crossed the line. We love playing many games, but the problem is the tiredness of the players."

Real Madrid are unbeaten at home in La Liga since a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico last March.

Real Madrid squad vs. Valencia:

Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Militao, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rudiger; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano