CNN.com - Zidane returns to Real Madrid side

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MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon has confirmed that Frenchman Zinedine Zidane will return to the starting line-up for Tuesday's Champions League Group B clash with Roma.

The former World Player of the Year dislocated his right shoulder two weeks ago in the 3-0 humbling at Bayer Leverkusen and has not played since.

But Garcia Remon said: "I talked to him and he wants to play, he knows it is going to be a difficult game, its like a final.

'If we don't win it will be difficult to get through to the next stage.

"If nothing changes between now and the game he will definitely be in the starting line-up," added Garcia Remon.

Garcia Remon, Real's star goalkeeper in the 1970s, replaced former coach Jose Antonio Camacho last week and is in charge of his first Champions League match.

The new man at the helm of the nine-times European champions pleaded with the critical Madrid fans to get behind his team on Tuesday, instead of throwing brickbats at them.

"We've been failing as a team and there hasn't been brilliant individuals to step into the gap but two good results will change everything.

"Everybody knows what sort of atmosphere we can generate in the Bernabeu for the Champions League, we are famous for it.

"The public should know that the attitude of the players is fine and they are 100 per cent professionals," added Garcia Remon, responding to the public criticism that many Real players have not been giving their best for the team.

Roberto Carlos has been one particular object of their anger, and Garcia Remon dropped him to the bench for Saturday's 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao.

"He had a bad game last week against Osasuna but he's been wanting the ball and I want him to get involved. We've been joking with him that he might be the best player in the game tomorrow."

David Beckham has recovered from his flu-induced fever and is also in Real's 18-man squad, along with fellow England international Michael Owen.

Owen has shrugged off his minor thigh strain that stopped him travelling to Bilbao and is expected to be on the bench.

Injured Ooijer ruled out

PSV Eindhoven defender Andre Ooijer will miss Wednesday's Champions League Group E match against Panathinaikos after pulling a hamstring in a Dutch legaue game against Heerenveen on Saturday.

The club said the international will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

Ooijer, capped 15 times for his country, also looks set to miss the World Cup 2006 qualifiers against Macedonia and Finland next month.

Barcelona problems mount up

Meanwhile, Barcelona's injury problems have mounted after defenders Rafael Marquez and Edmilson were declared doubtful for Wednesday's Group F match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Mexico international Marquez will almost certainly miss the match at the Nou Camp after sustaining a minor strain in his left leg during the warm-up for Sunday's league match against Real Mallorca.

But Brazil international Edmilson is likely to be available despite suffering a blow to his knee during the game at Son Moix which the Catalans won 3-1.

Club medical staff said they would be monitoring the progress of the two players over the next 24 hours before deciding if they could play.

Barcelona, who top Group F after their 3-1 win at Celtic in their opening match, have suffered a string of injury problems in recent weeks.

Midfielder Thiago Motta and defender Gabri will miss most of the season after tearing knee ligaments, while left back Silvinho is out for between three and four weeks, also with a knee injury.

Accident rules out Romero

Deportivo Coruna fullback Enrique Romero will miss his side's Group A match away to Monaco on Tuesday after falling off a bicycle at the weekend.

Club doctor Cesar Cobian said that the Spanish international suffered heavy bruising on Sunday when he crashed a bike at a friend's house after a dog ran across his path.

Youth team player Carlos Pita has been drafted into the squad.

Deportivo are joint second in the group after their 0-0 draw with Olympiakos in their opening game. Liverpool lead the standings after a 2-0 victory over Monaco.

The Galicians lost 8-3 to Monaco in last season's group stages.


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