Ancelotti positive on injured trio

Carlo Ancelotti had positive news when providing an update on the injured Real Madrid trio of Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and James Rodriguez.

The three players have been sidelined with respective thigh, head and knee injuries in recent weeks, but Ancelotti is expecting all of them to recover in the near future.

Following the La Liga clash at Almeria on Friday, Real will travel to Morocco to take part in the Club World Cup.

Real will face either Cruz Azul or Western Sydney Wanderers in the semi-final on Tuesday, ahead of a potential showpiece appearance on December 20.

While Ancelotti revealed Modric would not make the tournament in north Africa, there was better news on both Khedira and Rodriguez.

“Modric’s recovery is going well and he will be back with the team in January,” he said.

“We hope that James will be training next Thursday and will be available for the final [should Real qualify].

“Khedira will travel to Morocco. He will certainly be available for the final.”

Real were the only side to progress from the UEFA Champions League group stage with a 100 per cent record, meaning they will take on one of the group runners-up in the last 16, with the draw to be made on Monday.

But Ancelotti has warned of potential tricky opponents to come before deflecting questions about possible transfer activity once the window re-opens in January.

“The Champions League second place teams are more competitive than last year. [Such as] Juventus, PSG…” he said.

“Transfers? We will take a decision after Christmas. It depends on the injured players.”