Left-back teaser for Del Bosque

Vicente Del Bosque is pondering how he can fill the vacant space at left-back while Roberto Carlos is on international duty with Brazil.

Roberto Carlos is due to fly out to Brazil on Monday evening where his will join his countrymen for two upcoming games, against Panama on August 9, then a Word Cup qualifier against Paraguay on August 15.

The player will miss Real's pre-season dates in the Teresa Herrera tournament in La Coruna and the official presentation in Madrid for the Trofeo Bernabeu against Inter Milan on August 14.

Del Bosque is expected to fill the gap left by Roberto Carlos by fielding Aitor Karanka on the left and bringing Ivan Helguera back into central defence alongside Fernando Hierro. Karanka has been tried out in this position already, replacing Roberto Carlos during the team's recent tour of Switzerland.

Santiago Solari would have been the original choice but the Argentine ace has been effective in his natural midfield position this summer. A second option would be for Del Bosque to play with three centrals, although Real's system has been designed to use a flat back four to support band players, Savio and Figo.