Carlo Ancelotti offers Rodrygo injury update ahead of Man City second leg

Carlo Ancelotti does not expect to be without Rodrygo for too long after the Real Madrid forward missed training through injury.

Rodrygo scored and impressed in Madrid's 3-3 draw with Manchester City but missed training on Friday after picking up a knock, leaving fans sweating over his availability for the Champions League quarter-final return leg on Wednesday.

Asked for an update on Rodrygo, Ancelotti confirmed the 23-year-old may even be available for the weekend's clash with Mallorca.

«Rodrygo suffered a knock yesterday, but will be available [against Mallorca], like the entire squad,» Ancelotti revealed. «The priority is tomorrow, not Manchester. This week we have a lot at stake, but like all teams. We maintain the confidence of a few days ago and, I repeat, tomorrow is vital.»

Ancelotti went on to admit there could be a first start of the season for centre-back Eder Militao, eight months and one day after he tore his ACL.

«I repeat what I said: they are all available and tomorrow I will put in the best team,» Ancelotti vowed. «Militao is also available.»

Asked whether a start against Mallorca or City could be too much of a rush for Militao, Ancelotti continued: «It's a thought that we have in our heads and we have to think about, of course, but Eder has worked hard and is physically fine.

»If I see a healthy player, I don't think about the minutes he has spent or the time he has accumulated in training. I played [Sami] Khedira, who was coming off an injury, in a Champions League final and I did it because I saw he was healthy at that moment.

«Obviously, [Militao] can't play 90 minutes, that's complicated, but he can last a good part of the game.»

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