Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has named the three players whom he will be forced to rely upon to man the heart of the club’s defence over the coming weeks.Real, of course, announced a

Antonio Rudiger faces a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained against Espanyol on Saturday, a blow that was followed by David Alaba limping out of training two days later. Real are currently preparing to face Leganes in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, a weakened side expected to be selected for that tie.

Real Madrid's problems on defense have been compounded by a muscle injury to David Alaba. Alaba has “an adductor injury in his left leg," the club said on Tuesday. Spanish media said Alaba was expected to be out for two to three weeks,