Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Real Madrid to play strong team, Fernando Torres starts for Atletico

Real Madrid have called up all their available superstars for Wednesday's Copa del Rey last-16 first leg at Atletico Madrid.

Atletico, meanwhile, will be without defenders Miranda and Cristian Ansaldi, and midfielder Cristian Rodriguez, through injury.

Both sides look set to name very strong lineups for the derbi clash, with Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti saying that Gareth Bale would start, while Colchoneros boss Diego Simeone has stated that returning fans' hero Fernando Torres will be named in his XI.

Atletico's club statement announcing their squad mentioned the inclusion of Torres, and confirmed that Miranda, Ansaldi and Rodriguez had yet to recover from their respective injury issues.

"Diego Pablo Simeone provided the list of players called for the match against Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey," the statement said. "Among the 19 players is Fernando Torres.

"The Argentine coach will be without Miranda and Ansaldi, still recovering from his injuries, or with Cristian Rodriguez, who suffers a muscle contracture to the back of the right thigh. For his part, the home-grown Lucas returns to the squad team after his debut in San Mames."

This means impressive youngster Jose Maria Gimenez is set to retain his place at centre-back, while Gabriel Siqueira should again start at left-back. Torres could well replace 30 million-euro summer signing Antoine Griezmann in attack, even though the France international has scored five times in his last two La Liga outings, including a double in Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Levante.

Across town, Ancelotti has included all his available first team players in his 22 man squad for the game, with just injured midfielder Luka Modric ruled out. The Italian coach told his pregame news conference that Keylor Navas would be named in goal, and he might make a few tweaks elsewhere, but that the idea was to pick the strongest available starting side.

Madrid's club statement was short on detail but suggested recently injured Sergio Ramos and Marcelo had suffered no set-backs on their return to action in Sunday's 2-1 La Liga defeat at Valencia.

"Real Madrid concluded their last training session before visiting the Vicente Calderon in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last 16," the statement said. "Carlo Ancelotti had the whole squad at his disposal on the training pitch, with the exception of Modric who continues his recovery process. Castilla players Ruben Yanez and Alvaro Medran also worked with the group."

The derbi is as usual likely to be a huge occasion in the Spanish capital -- with local sports daily Marca proudly pointing out that the two teams between them currently hold the six most important national and international trophies.

Madrid are current holders of the Champions League, when they beat Atletico in last year's final after extra-time, the Club World Cup, the Copa del Rey and the European Super Cup. Atletico are reigning La Liga and Spanish Super Cup champions.

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