Arjen Robben could make his first appearance for Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Werder Bremen.
The Dutchman has yet to feature for the Spanish champions since last month's switch from Chelsea due to a lack of fitness, but Real coach Bernd Schuster believes the 23-year-old could be involved at some point against Werder.
"We spoke with Robben on Sunday, and it is probable that he will play his first minutes," said Schuster. "He is feeling well, with a lot of desire to play, and we are hoping he can start playing in matches as soon as possible.
"Looking ahead to the game, we think he will see his first minutes."
As for left-back Gabriel Heinze, Schuster will see how the Argentinian is after Monday evening's training session before making a decision on his possible involvement on Tuesday.
If Heinze, who was replaced at half-time during Saturday's Primera Liga win over Almeria after suffering a groin injury, does not make it, then one of Royston Drenthe, Marcelo or Miguel Torres could step in for what will be Real's 300th European Cup and Champions League match.
Drenthe took over from Heinze at the weekend but Schuster admits left-back is not the young Dutchman's best position, while Torres has yet to feature for Real this season after breaking into the first team under Fabio Capello during the last campaign.
Teenage Brazilian Marcelo has only made a handful of appearances for the Spanish giants since moving to Spain last Christmas.
Schuster said: "We have three players who can play in this position - Heinze, Torres and Marcelo, and we count on all three. We will know how Heinze is, and if he is not ready I will go with one of the others.
"It is important to have a number of players who can play in different positions. Drenthe can play in various positions, and as in football you cannot plan for every eventuality, in the end he had to play at left-back on Saturday."
"We spoke with Robben on Sunday, and it is probable that he will play his first minutes," said Schuster. "He is feeling well, with a lot of desire to play, and we are hoping he can start playing in matches as soon as possible.
"Looking ahead to the game, we think he will see his first minutes."
As for left-back Gabriel Heinze, Schuster will see how the Argentinian is after Monday evening's training session before making a decision on his possible involvement on Tuesday.
If Heinze, who was replaced at half-time during Saturday's Primera Liga win over Almeria after suffering a groin injury, does not make it, then one of Royston Drenthe, Marcelo or Miguel Torres could step in for what will be Real's 300th European Cup and Champions League match.
Drenthe took over from Heinze at the weekend but Schuster admits left-back is not the young Dutchman's best position, while Torres has yet to feature for Real this season after breaking into the first team under Fabio Capello during the last campaign.
Teenage Brazilian Marcelo has only made a handful of appearances for the Spanish giants since moving to Spain last Christmas.
Schuster said: "We have three players who can play in this position - Heinze, Torres and Marcelo, and we count on all three. We will know how Heinze is, and if he is not ready I will go with one of the others.
"It is important to have a number of players who can play in different positions. Drenthe can play in various positions, and as in football you cannot plan for every eventuality, in the end he had to play at left-back on Saturday."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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