Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso says Kylian Mbappe is feeling better ahead of the Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, though he stopped short of confirming whether the French star would make the starting eleven.
Mbappe was sidelined for Madrid's group stage fixtures due to a stomach illness but came off the bench in their narrow 1-0 win over Juventus, which sealed their place in the last eight.
In his absence, 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia has stepped up, leading the line in all four of Madrid's matches in the United States and scoring three times.
"He's improving and we'll decide tomorrow morning whether he starts," Alonso said on Friday. He also hinted that Mbappe's return wouldn't necessarily mean Garcia losing his place. "They can play together. It depends on the moment and what the game requires - they complement each other well. I haven't ruled it out."
Alonso added that he preferred to inform his players first before making tactical decisions public.