Pepe has been passed fit to start for Real Madrid against Galatasaray in the Champions League quarter-final second leg in Istanbul.

The Portuguese centre-back was struggling with an injury he picked up at the weekend but has recovered in time to start alongside Raphael Varane in central defence for the Spanish visitors.

Gonzalo Higuain starts in attack instead of Karim Benzema for Madrid, Michael Essien is slotted into right-back and Diego Lopez retains his place between the sticks.

Striker Burak Yilmaz is unavailable for the contest for Galatasaray as he is suspended, but Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder both start for the Turkish giants.

Galatasaray: Muslera; Zan, Kaya, Eboue, Altintop; Inan, Felipe Melo, Riera, Sneijder; Drogba, Bulut

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Essien, Varane, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Ozil, Modric; Ronaldo, Higuain, Di María