Ramos and Carvajal bolster Madrid defence for Champions League decider

MADRID: Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and right back Dani Carvajal have returned to training to boost Zinedine Zidane's side for Wednesday's game at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach, when their Champions League fate will be on the line.

Ramos, who has not played for Madrid since Nov. 11 because of a hamstring problem, completed full training for the second day in a row.

Carvajal, who has been limited to four starts in all competitions this season due to two injuries, made his return to training on Monday.

Both players missed the 2-0 defeat away to Shakhtar Donetsk last week which obliges the 13-times European champions to beat Group B leaders Gladbach to ensure they qualify for the knockout stages for a record 24th consecutive year.

Defeat would see Madrid drop into the Europa League for the first time since 1994/95, when the competition was named the UEFA Cup, while they would also exit the Champions League with a draw unless Inter Milan manage to beat Shakhtar.

Ramos's return could hardly come at a better time for Real, who have lost seven of their last nine Champions League games when missing their talismanic defender.

While Madrid are recovering important players in defence, they will be without forward Eden Hazard plus midfielders Fede Valverde, who is recovering from a broken leg, and Martin Odegaard, who did not train on Monday.