Martin Odegaard could
make his debut for Real Madrid when the European champions host Almeria on
Wednesday after being included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the first time.
Madrid beat off stiff competition from around Europe to land
the 16-year-old in January, but his time with the first team has since been
limited to training sessions, while he has played with the reserve team Real
Madrid Castilla in the third tier of Spanish football.
However, with Los Blancos blighted by injuries and
suspensions, Ancelotti hinted that Odegaard could get his first run out at the
Santiago Bernabeu.
"Tomorrow in the squad there will be three youth-team
players," Ancelotti said on Tuesday. "Odegaard, (Borja) Mayoral and
Diego Llorente. I think two of the three will be on the bench and they could
get an opportunity to play."
Madrid will again be without the injured Gareth Bale, Karim
Benzema and Luka Modric, while Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos sit out due to
suspension.
However, Ancelotti is hopeful that Bale will be fit to face
the daunting trip to Sevilla on Saturday, while Benzema could return in time
for next week's Champions League semi-final, first leg away to Juventus.
"We still think Bale will be fit [for Sevilla]. He is
doing work on his own and will do the same tomorrow. If all goes well, then he
will begin to train with the team again on Thursday.
"It is different for Karim, I think he will start
training with the team on Sunday."
The absence of two of Ancelotti's preferred front three
hasn't cost Madrid in the past few weeks due to the stunning form of on-loan
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez.
The Mexican has struck four times in as many games,
including the crucial winner in the Champions League quarter-final against
Atletico Madrid.
And Ancelotti said his professionalism, despite having
limited playing time until Benzema's recent injury, could lead to a permanent
move to the Spanish capital.
"It is a subject that we will evaluate at the end of
the season. What I can say is that I have liked his professionalism during the
whole year," Ancelotti added.
"He is enjoying his opportunity a lot, he has a high
level of professionalism and for a coach to have these type of players that are
always ready is very positive."
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