GELSENKIRCHEN: Real Madrid centre back Pepe has been included in the defending European champions' team to face Schalke in their Champions League last 16 first leg match in Germany.
The Portuguese defender returns after almost a month out with a rib injury and is named in the starting eleven along with Champions League debutant Lucas Silva.
Silva, a winter signing from Brazilian side Cruzeiro, lines up alongside Toni Kroos and Isco in midfield.
Karim Benzema shook off a bug in time to be included in attack along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
With the more experienced Ralf Fährmann and Fabian Giefer out injured, Schalke handed a start to Timon Wellenreuther in goal.
The 19-year-old has played in each of the German's side last two Bundesliga matches and was set to make his Champions League debut.
Former Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Schalke's topscorer in the competition with three goals in six group matches, returns for the home team.
The Dutch international had been serving a four-game suspension in the Bundesliga.
Teams (kick-off 1945 GMT):
Schalke (5-3-2):
Wellenreuther; Aogo, Nastasic, Matip, Hoewedes (capt), Uchida; Boateng, Neustaedter, Hoeger; Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar.
Coach: Roberto di Matteo (ITA)
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
Casillas(capt); Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo; Lucas Silva, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)
Referee: Martin Atkinson (ENG)
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