Fitness doubts linger over Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal ahead of El Clásico | OneFootball

According to The Athletic, right-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal remain doubtful for El Clásico at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22.Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring injury during Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash with French side Marseille last month.There has been speculation that he could return for Madrid’s La Liga clash with Getafe on October 19, but he is ‘more likely to be out for six weeks in total’, implying that he will miss the Barcelona clash.Similarly, his counterpart Carvajal is also unlikely to be fit for the El Clásico after he picked up a calf injury late last month.There have been suggestions that he could be fit for the Barcelona encounter, but ‘neither the club nor those close to him see this as a certainty’. Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal have shared minutes as Madrid’s first-choice right backs this season. The former Liverpool player has started three games, while the Spaniard has been given the nod in five matches.Manager Xabi Alonso has kept mute on his first choice between the pair, stating that ‘whoever deserves it the most will play’.With Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal doubtful for El Clásico, Federico Valverde could continue to fill in at right-back – the role he played in the 3-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday.Alonso could also play Raul Asencio in that position, as the Spaniard played there in the 5-1 victory over Kairat Almaty.Madrid has sauntered to the top of La Liga standings, with Barcelona failing to recapture top spot after falling to a 4-1 defeat at Sevilla on Sunday.Alonso’s side are now three points ahead of the defending champions and will hope to maintain their lead over them before the El Clásico.