Baljic has a point to prove

Elvir Baljic has been listed for both the Champions League and La Liga by Real, a move he hopes will give him the chance of a return to the side.

Baljic joined Real from Fenerbahce back in 1999, but an injury put paid to his chances of making a name for himself at the Bernabeu.

Once recovered, strike duo Raul Gonzalez and Fernando Morientes had formed a formidable partnership in attack, leaving Baljic with no option but to gain experience outside of the club.

He returned to Fenerbahce on loan last season, but has now returned to Madrid to prove that he is worth the $US 13.6m (2.5 billion pesetas) former coach John Toshack paid for him three years ago.

The Bosnian international is waiting to hear from AC Milan, whose coach Fatih Terim has Baljic on his hit-list.

Baljic said on Monday: "I'm pleased to be in the squad for the Champions League, that gives me the encouragement to keep fighting to win my place back. I know that I still don't figure in the boss' plans, but if I end up staying at Madrid then I'm going to try and win back his confidence."

"I plan to do what McManaman did - he was out of favour with the coach but ended up being a regular nearly all of last season."

The player's agent, Dino Pasalj, is hoping to reach an agreement with Milan to resolve Baljic's dilemma at Real.

Pasalj said: "His number one option is to carry on at Real but as that has its complications, we are looking for another solution."