Stars return to boost Real

Sevilla test for City; United take on CSKA at home

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has been relying on second-string players to get the club through a mini injury crisis but should have several of his heavyweights back when Paris St Germain visit in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Playmaker James Rodriguez, striker Karim Benzema and captain and centre back Sergio Ramos all look likely to be fit for the clash at the Bernabeu as the record 10-time winners look to pull clear of PSG at the top of Group A.

Midfielder Luka Modric may not be available after he was taken off at halftime in Saturday's 3-1 La Liga win at home to Las Palmas with a sore hip, while it is unclear when forward Gareth Bale might return from a calf injury.

With a string of regulars missing in recent weeks, Benitez has deployed youngsters like Casemiro, Jese, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho -- who all graduated from Real's B team -- to keep their season ticking over.

Real remain unbeaten in La Liga and are joint top with champions Barcelona on 24 points after 10 matches. The goal they conceded to Las Palmas on Saturday -- a header at a corner -- was the first they conceded at home this season.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc was pleased to come through Friday's Ligue 1 match at Rennes with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from former Real midfielder Angel Di Maria and without sustaining any injuries to key players.

Blanc, whose side are also unbeaten this term, has been without centre back David Luiz after he sustained a knee injury on duty with Brazil last month.

Real and PSG drew 0-0 at the Parc des Princes last month in their first competitive game in more than 20 years and are tied on seven points from three of six matches. A win for either side would earn a place in the last 16 should Malmo lose at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

City test for Sevilla
Sevilla coach Unai Emery has admitted his side have no chance of winning the Champions League and says their priority is to perform well in La Liga so they can secure a lucrative berth in the competition again for next season.

As the Europa League holders prepare to host Manchester City on Tuesday in Seville, Emery said Sevilla must focus on improving their domestic form after they suffered another setback in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Villarreal which left them in ninth after 10 matches.

The Andalusian club qualified for the Champions League after winning a second consecutive Europa League crown last term and are third in Group D on three points after going down 2-1 at City last month.

Managed by former Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini, City are second on six points, a point behind leaders Juventus, and will qualify for the last 16 with two games to spare if they beat Sevilla and the Italian champions win at Borussia Moenchengladbach.

City warmed up for the match at the Sanchez Pizjuan with a 2-1 Premier League success at home to Norwich City on Saturday which kept them top ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

Chilean Pellegrini has a mixed record against Emery from his time in Spain, winning four, drawing two and losing three.

His record against Sevilla was poor, winning only five of 19 matches and losing nine. Emery will be without Kevin Gameiro for City's visit after the French forward was forced off with a muscle injury on Saturday.

He is likely to be replaced up front by former Spain striker Fernando Llorente, who has yet to spark after joining from Juve in the close season.