Carvajal: I've made dietary changes, like having to eat broccoli every day

Dani Carvajal spoke to the press ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The right back has been solid since returning from injury and he wants to continue on that path.

"I want to return to my highest level," he said during his press conference.

"The coach is managing me well and I hope to be back to my best soon. The mental part has been the hardest, looking for a cause.

"I am clean in the head, at my best."

The defender has impressed in his brief appearances for Los Blancos since his return, and is hoping to get back into the Spanish national team squad.

"I feel very, very good. I am ready to compete," he said.

"I would love to return to the national team, which is something I love. I hope I can be on the list, in which I have not been in a long time."

Carvajal also mentioned some of the changes he has had to make to his lifestyle, particularly to his diet.

"I have closed the door on things that could affect me: [I just] train, rest, and eat," he said.

"I have a weirder, stricter, gluten-free, wheat-free diet. Like, I have to eat broccoli every day to be okay."

Eden Hazard is having a tough time of late, failing to break into the team under Carlo Ancelotti, something that Carvajal has sympathy for.

"His situation is not easy. It is not true that he is not interested, although it may seem that," he said.

"The coach is managing him well, often working with him on the sidelines.

"He is definitely among the ten best [players] in the world when he returns."

Carvajal still believes Los Blancos can get better, but isn't bothered by the fact that they are not considered favourites for the Champions League.

"The room for improvement is still massive, we are in November and little by little we are achieving [our goals]," he noted.

"If they do not consider us as favourites, it is not our problem and [it's] almost better. This team can beat anyone, and we have shown it."