Kylian Mbappe is set to return for Real Madrid as the Spanish giants look to finish off Manchester City in the Champions League.
The prolific France striker missed Real’s 3-0 victory in the first leg of the last-16 tie last week with a knee injury.
Mbappe has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances for the club this season and news of his return is a blow for City ahead of Tuesday’s return clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa said at his pre-match press conference in Manchester: “Mbappe is ready to play.
“I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course he’ll be important (on Tuesday).”
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has also travelled with the Real squad as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem, but is not ready to feature.
“Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates,” Arbeloa said.
“I’m very happy to see him getting closer to the team. It is important to be around his team-mates, during the team-talk and at half-time he’ll be one of the leaders as he always is.”
Erling Haaland could be key to City’s hopes of turning the tie around, and Real defender Antonio Rudiger is relishing another contest with the Norway forward, with the pair having become familiar foes in recent years.
“Players like Haaland – it’s a huge pleasure to play against this type of player,” Rudiger said on the eve of the match in Manchester.
“I like the physical battle, I want it and need it, the same as him. I’m looking forward to it.
“He’s a world-class striker, very strong, and I like these type of duels.”
Rudiger acknowledged his combative approach as he addressed recent claims from Getafe defender Diego Rico about his conduct.
Rico said Rudiger committed an “assault” against him in a challenge earlier this month.
“In slow motion it looks terrible but in the action itself and also what the player said, it was like I almost killed him,” Rudiger said.
“He doesn’t need to exaggerate because if I’d had the intention to do that he wouldn’t have stood up.
“I don’t justify it but the way he spoke after the game was like I killed him, but he was running afterwards. We all know I like to be tough on the pitch but I still have boundaries. I am a human being.”
PA
