Essien could revert to midfield role

for Real Madrid's trip to Mallorca

Michael Essien is likely to be restored to the Real Madrid midfield for the weekend’s trip to Real Mallorca.

This is to fill the void created following the injury to Sami Khedira in the 2-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League game on Wednesday.

The Ghana international has been playing as a makeshift left-back for the Spanish champions with Marcelo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Contrao all sidelined through injuries.

Real are running short of options in the central midfield position with the only fit candidate Luka Modric not an accomplished player in the holding midfield role.

Essien on the other hand will prefer being played in his usual position following a relatively poor performance in defence against Dortmund in midweek.

Real Madrid have clawed back into fourth in La Liga following a poor start to their title defence.

They are however still a staggering eight-points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Jose Mourinho’s side thus need a win at Mallorca on Sunday – a game many football pundits believe could prove a banana skin for the champions.