Pepe's Substitute At Real Madrid Will Be Sergio Ramos

In an exclusive report released by Madrid sports daily Marca, it is claimed that the substitute for the injured Pepe will be Sergio Ramos.

Raul Albiol and Ezequiel Garay will form Manuel Pellegrini's ideal pair in central defence in the absence of the Portuguese powerhouse who will miss the rest of the season with cruicate ligament damage, but should one of the central defenders have to miss time with an injury or suspension, Sergio Ramos is billed to fill in the central defensive role with Alvaro Arbeloa switching to right back and Marcelo moving back to the left back position.

Sergio Ramos, a European Championship winning right-back with Spain in 2008, has shown to be very adept in the centre of defence in the past, sometimes putting in more confident displays as a central defender than he does in his more customary role; the Andalucian has already filled in once in the central position in Madrid's match at Villarreal.

The report emphasises the importance of Marcelo making improvements in his defensive duties as the Brazilian has shown to be very suspect as a left-back in the past. It bears mentioning that Lassana Diarra is also an adept right-back, leaving Arbeloa for the left-sided defensive duties, but Pellegrini would prefer to use the Frenchman in the midfield, especially with Mahamadou Diarra set to miss much of January as he performs for Mali at the African Cup of Nations.

German defender Christoph Metzelder does not look to figure in Manuel Pellegrini's plans as a viable substitute.