Real Madrid 'add Marco Asensio to Champions League squad'

Real Madrid have reportedly added Marco Asensio to their Champions League squad as the attacker continues to make positive progress in his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.

The Spain international has been sidelined since picking up a serious knee issue during Madrid's preparations for the 2019-20 campaign.

The problem required the 24-year-old to undergo surgery, but he has recently been undertaking individual training sessions as he closes in on a return to full fitness.

According to Marca, Alvaro Odriozola's recent loan move to Bayern Munich opened up a spot in Madrid's squad for the last-16 stage of the Champions League, which Asensio has now filled.

The report claims that the attacker is not expected to make his return until March, suggesting that he has an outside chance of being involved in the second leg of their knockout-round tie against Manchester City on March 17.

Asensio has scored 27 times and contributed 19 assists in 135 appearances for Los Blancos in all competitions.