David Alaba, the latest casualty for Real Madrid

The Austrian central defender didn't take part in Tuesday's session, the final workout before tomorrow's meeting with Athletic Club.

Real Madrid are seriously under-strength for their final game of 2021. To the long list of absentees due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, players who are suspended or injured, the club now will be missing David Alaba. The Austrain centre-back did not take part in Tuesday's training session, the last session in preparation of tomorrow's meeting with Athletic Club at San Mamés and looks unlikely that he will be part of the squad that travels to Bilbao. Gol journalist Sergio Quirante reported that Alaba turned up at Valdebebas early to undergo a PCR test and then returned home to wait for the result.

If Alaba's absence is confirmed, Ancelotti will have just 14 first team players available for the Athletic game. Seven players are self-isolating after contracting Covid-19 - Modric (who tested negative two days later but is still showing symptoms and has not returned to training), Marcelo, Lunin, Bale, Asensio and Rodrygo, as well as Ancelotti's first assistant Davide Ancelotti. Isco is also unwell. The midfielder started showing symptoms on Saturday which was why he was left out of the list for the Cádiz game. The first PCR test results came back negative, which may suggest that the player is just suffering a common cold.

Carvajal injured, Casemiro serving a ban

Alaba joins list of absentees that also includes Dani Carvajal, who has been struggling to regain fitness since the derby against Atlético. In today's press conference, Ancelotti also ruled  Dani Ceballos, who only recently returned from a lengthy injury. The Italian coach doesn't want to run any unnecessary risks - even though he included him in his squad for the Cádiz game. And lastly, Madrid will be unable to count on Casemiro who is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season at the weekend.

With Alaba out, Ancelotti will be without a defender who has played the last 20 games straight. In all of them, apart from the Espanyol meeting, he played in his usual central defence position. Five Castilla players trained with the first team squad on Tuesday - Rafa Marín, Miguel Gutiérrez, Blanco, Arribas and Peter.