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Midfielder Asier Illarramendi returns to the Real Madrid squad for Wednesday's Champions League group game at FC Basel, but Sami Khedira and Pepe miss out on the trip due to injury. Madrid go into the game fully in control of Group B, needing just one point from their last two games to ensure top spot, as they sit six points clear of Basel. Liverpool and Ludogorets are tied on three points and can take the advantage if Madrid can beat the Swiss side. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti could decide to rest some players given their busy current La Liga schedule and looming Copa del Rey and World Club Cup commitments. Pepe and Khedira have remained at home due to unspecified muscle problems, but Illarramendi is available again after overcoming the minor issue which saw the Basque midfielder ruled out of Saturday's 4-0 La Liga win at Eibar, and could replace either Isco or Toni Kroos in the middle. Young midfielders Alvaro Medran and Lucas Torro make up the numbers in the 20-man travelling squad. Madrid's injury update released on Monday had suggested that Khedira and Pepe were doubts for the game. "Real Madrid are now focused on the Champions League. After the win in Ipurua, the Whites got preparations underway for their matchday five Group Stage clash against Basel underway," the statement said. "The biggest news was the return of Asier Illarramendi, who joined up with the rest of the players on the training pitch. For a session in which ball work took centre stage, Ancelotti once again called on youth academy player Alvaro Medran. Khedira and Pepe worked in the indoor facilities, whilst [Luka] Modric's recovery process continues." Khedira has yet to start a La Liga or Champions League game for Madrid this season, and was left on the bench through the game at Eibar last weekend despite having played twice for Germany during the recent international break. While Ancelotti has been keen to stress that the World Cup winner remains within his plans, speculation in Spain suggest that Khedira's contract situation -- his deal ends next summer and he has reportedly already agreed to then join Bayern Munich on a free transfer -- is a factor in selection decisions.
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