Khedira and Rodriguez could be fit for FIFA Club World Cup final

By foxsports
Published

Real Madrid are hopeful of having Sami Khedira and James Rodriguez fit for a possible FIFA Club World Cup final.

The pair are due to travel for the tournament in Morocco, which gets under way in earnest with the quarter-final stage on Saturday, but which European champions Madrid will enter in the semi-finals.

The Spanish giants will take on either AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers from Australia or Mexican outfit Cruz Azul, who won the CONCACAF Champions League, in Rabat on Tuesday.

On Rodriguez, who has had a calf problem, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said on the club website: "He had a small problem and we want to get him back for the last match of the Club World Cup. He started work today and we're looking for him to join the group next Thursday."

On Khedira, who has been out with a knee problem, Ancelotti added: "He'll travel to Morocco, because on Monday he'll have the medical all-clear.

"I don't think he'll be available for the semi-final, but he will be available for the last game in Morocco."

Madrid are hot favourites to win the tournament, especially as they have won a staggering 19 games in a row in all competitions ahead of Friday night's Primera Division clash with Almeria.

Ancelotti is still doing his homework for Morocco, though.

"We're analysing the opponents. It started yesterday and on Saturday the two teams who are our possible semi-final rivals will play. We're analysing everything," he said.

Madrid's appearance in the tournament will be the first time they have played in the Club World Cup since it was revamped in 2005.

They do have three Intercontinental Cup triumphs to their name, though, and full-back Marcelo wants more global success.

"We always try to do our best in every competition we play," the Brazilian told FIFA.

"We always want to reach the final and win. It's been a while since Real Madrid have played in this tournament, and we're up for it."

The other quarter-final takes place in Marrakesh on Wednesday between OFC Champions League winners Auckland City from New Zealand and Algerian outfit ES Setif, who won the CAF Champions League.

The winners of that match will take on Argentinian side San Lorenzo, the Copa Libertadores winners.

The final is in Marrakesh a week on Saturday.