Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger has been declared fit to play in El Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday, but keeper Thibaut Courtois won’t feature.
Rudiger needed 20 stitches in his forehead after the collision with Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Anatoliy Trubin to score in the 1-1 Champions League draw on Tuesday.
The German, who signed from Chelsea this summer, will wear a protective face mask.
“Rudiger is a warrior,” said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti.
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“If you look at him, he is so excited and looking forward to Sunday’s game.”
Courtois will miss the game due to a lack of match practice following the back injury that has kept him out of Real’s past four matches.
“He is recovered, and that’s great for us,” said Ancelotti. “But he needs more practice to get back to peak form. We won’t rush him back until he is ready.”
