Real Madrid's setbacks have come in the form of injuries. First it was Danilo and James, who both returned injured from international duty. Then the Champions League claimed another three victims: Bale, Varane and Ramos. Those injuries have left Rafa Benítez very little room for manoeuvre.

The least serious of those injuries is Varane's. The Frenchman only has a knock and could be fit for tomorrow's game against Granada. Sergio Ramos and Bale will have to wait a little longer. That leaves Kovacic and Jesé as options to fill in for the Welshman. Benítez's biggest doubt is whether to stick with his formation or swap to a 4-4-2.

A first option would be a straight swap: Jesé for Bale. A second would be playing four midfielders: Kovacic, Modric, Kroos and Isco, in an attempt to control the ball.

Last Tuesday, it was Kovacic who came on for Bale. "Kovacic is used to playing through the middle and can keep the ball for us. If Bale isn't fit, it will open the door to any player. We opted for Kovacic because of the type of game it was, but any one of Jesé, Cheryshev or Lucas Vázquez could come in", said Benítez at a press conference.

Jesé could be that man. Rafa has high hopes for him and with James and Bale both injured this could be his chance. Kovacic or Jesé? Speed or control? That is Benítez's dilemma.

The Croat has a head start. Against Shakhtar, he racked up 7.79km in 59 minutes. That is a sign of the commitment and work ethic that Kovacic brings to the team. With an ever growing list of walking wounded, the ball is in Benítez's court.