Mbappe, 27, has been sidelined since suffering a left knee sprain in March, last featuring in Madrid's 2-1 LaLiga defeat to Osasuna on 21 February. The French striker, Los Blancos' top scorer this season with 13 Champions League goals, was expected to return cautiously, and coach Alvaro Arbeloa plans to manage his minutes carefully, easing him back into action unless the match situation demands otherwise.

Bellingham's return is more surprising. The 22-year-old midfielder has not played since leaving the field in tears with a hamstring injury against Rayo Vallecano on 1 February. Initially expected to miss four weeks, the injury proved more serious, casting doubts over his availability for England's upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. While Bellingham will travel with the squad, a source indicated he is unlikely to feature heavily against City.

"(On Sunday) we'll train at Valdebebas, we'll try Mbappe out, and we'll see how he feels," Arbeloa said. "I hope he'll be available. If he can be in Manchester, it will be great news."

The squad also welcomes back left-back Alvaro Carreras, providing additional options alongside Fran Garcia, who impressed in Madrid's 4-1 LaLiga win over Elche on Saturday. Several academy players, including Fran Gonzalez, Diego Aguado, Mario Rivas, Cestero, Thiago Pitarch, Manuel Angel, and Palacios, were called up to bolster the squad amid a continued injury crisis that has kept Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, and Dani Ceballos out of action.

Real Madrid travel to Manchester in a strong position, having won the first leg 3-0 at the Bernabeu last Wednesday, highlighted by Federico Valverde's first-half hat-trick. The margin of victory could have been even greater, but City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a penalty from Vinicius Jr early in the second half.

With key players returning, Madrid will look to consolidate their advantage and secure a place in the quarter-finals, while carefully managing the fitness of their stars ahead of a demanding final stretch of the season.

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