Real Madrid’s Coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday Luka Modric will be out of the club’s La Liga game at home to Valencia on Sunday due to a calf injury.
Ancelotti said that in his place a fellow midfielder, Sami Khedira, will play for the first time since he recovered from knee surgery.
“Modric didn’t train because he took a knock to the calf and he’s sidelined,” Ancelotti told a news conference ahead of the match at the Bernabeu.
“Khedira will be available tomorrow (Sunday) to start on the bench.”
The German international needed surgery after tearing ligaments playing in a friendly against Italy in November
Mordic’s recovery means he should be fit to represent his country at the World Cup finals in Brazil starting next month.
His return is also good news for Real in the final few weeks of the La Liga season and for the Champions League final against city rivals Atletico Madrid on May 24.
Atletico are top of La Liga on 88 points with three games left, four ahead of Barcelona who host Getafe later on Saturday.
Real, who have a game in hand, are two points adrift of Barca in third and still have a chance of winning a rare treble after their triumph in King’s Cup.
“We have to be cautious with Khedira,” Ancelotti said.
He added that the club had arranged a friendly at their training ground in Valdebebas outside Madrid next week to give the German playing time.
“His recovery has been very good, he came back quickly and he’s well.”
Reuters/NAN.
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