Marcelo returns to Madrid squad, but Bale & Pepe out

Real Madrid have been handed a boost ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Roma after Marcelo returned to training on Monday morning. 

The Brazilian has therefore been named in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for this week’s trip to the Italian capital. 

However,  the game still comes too soon for Gareth Bale and Pepe. 

Neither the Welsh forward nor the Portuguese defender trained on Monday and neither were named in the squad for the Roma game. 

Bale’s calf problem is a particular reason for concern given he was expected to be back in action within two weeks. 

Zidane will hope the duo are fit soon, though, with tough games away at Malaga and at home to Atletico coming up in La Liga over the next two weeks. 

Pepe’s availability could be particularly key this weekend given Raphael Varane was sent off in the win over Athletic Club and is set to serve a suspension.

The 20 players who will travel to Italy are: 

Navas, Casilla, Ruben Yañez; Ramos, Varane, Arbeloa, Carvajal, Danilo, Marcelo, Nacho, Kroos, Casemiro, Isco, James Rodriguez, Modric, Kovacic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Jese, Lucas Vazquez.