Morata hoping to fill striker void at Real

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is hopeful that he can make a greater contribution next season following the departure of Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain is set to be unveiled as a Napoli player after passing a medical with the Serie A club, moving Morata up the pecking order as he looks to establish himself in the first team at the Bernabeu.

Morata, 20, scored from the penalty spot as Real came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw in a pre-season friendly with Lyon on Wednesday.

The Spain Under-21 international scored twice in 15 appearances for Real last term and is confident that he can step up and help fill the void left by Higuain’s exit.

“Higuain has always given me a lot of advice and helped me, I wish him luck in his new adventure, I wish him well,” Morata told AS.

“There is Karim (Benzema), myself and Jese (Rodriguez), we can work well, but the team decides whether to sign someone or not.”

Carlo Ancelotti replaced Jose Mourinho as Real manager in June, with Morata pleased with what he has seen from the Italian so far.

“He (Ancelotti) has the desire to do well, to win,” Morata added.

“He likes to play well and that’s good.”