Real Madrid teenager Martin Odegaard could make his first-team debut in Wednesday's La Liga game at home to Almeria after coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the Norway international would be included in the match squad for the game.
Madrid won the race to sign Odegaard, 16, from Stromsgodset in January in a transfer that is reported to be worth up to €8 million.
The plan was for the youngster to train with the first-team squad while playing with Zinedine Zidane's Castilla reserve team, but he recently lost his place under the former France international amid local media reports that he had not settled with his colleagues in the team.
He could feature against Almeria, though, and if he were to do so, he would replace Sebastian Losada as the youngest player to feature for Madrid in La Liga. Losada made his debut against Sporting Gijon in September 1984 aged 17 years and six days, but never became a first-team regular at the Bernabeu.
Ancelotti told a news conference that Odegaard was among the 20 players called up for Wednesday's match at the Bernabeu.
"Tomorrow there will be three youth-team players on the list," Ancelotti said. "Odegaard, Mayoral and Llorente."
At least one of attacking midfielder Odegaard, defender Llorente and attacker Mayoral will be on the bench for the game against the relegation strugglers, and Ancelotti also confirmed that squad players including young attacker Jese Rodriguez would feature.
"Jese has been missing playing time, but he is in good physical condition," he said.
Ancelotti also confirmed that backup goalkeeper Keylor Navas will come in, with club captain Iker Casillas again being spared an easy game in front of Madrid fans who continue to whistle his contributions.
However, the Italian said: "I have not thought about whether it is at the Bernabeu or away from the Bernabeu when picking Keylor."
Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema remain sidelined for the game, but the former could feature in Saturday's La Liga clash at Sevilla while the latter is hoping to be available for the Champions League semifinal first leg against Juventus on May 5.
"We think that Bale could be there against Sevilla," Ancelotti said. "He is doing individual fitness work. And Karim will begin to train with the group on Sunday. I do not know if he will be in top condition, but we need him, fully fit or not. Then we will see how he is."
Madrid will be missing suspended defensive duo Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal for Wednesday's game against Almeria, who are likely to field a weakened side as they prioritise next weekend's home game against Celta Vigo.
However, with his side two points behind current La Liga leaders Barcelona with just five games to play, Ancelotti denied that any team was taking any game less seriously at this stage of the season.
"This is a moment of the season when all the games are life or death," he said. "We must prepare for this game thinking that way. [Almeria] are in good form at the moment. All the teams at the moment have their own dream."