29-year-old Real Madrid star will reclaim starting spot under Ancelotti after recovering from injury

Real Madrid’s season has been marred by injuries as the list of absentees continues to pile up this season.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was acquired on a season-long loan from Chelsea last summer after Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury right before the season got underway.

Recruited to fill in the big boots of Courtois, Kepa arrived as the first-choice goalkeeper for the campaign.

However, Kepa also suffered an injury during the warm-up before the clash against SC Braga in the Champions League.

Due to muscular soreness in his right leg, Carlo Ancelotti had to replace the Spanish international with Andriy Lunin in the starting lineup

Since then, the Ukranian has done a brilliant job at guarding the sticks for Los Blancos, having kept a clean sheet against Braga and leaking in one goal against Valencia.

Kepa will retain his spot once he returns

With Kepa unlikely to recover in time to face Cadiz this weekend, Lunin will remain the undisputed starter and is expected to feature in the lineup once more.

However, according to MARCA, Kepa will continue to be the first option when he returns.

The goalkeeper will be placed ahead of Lunin in the pecking order in both the Champions League and La Liga.

As for the Copa del Rey, Lunin would be the first-choice keeper, with the reigning champions not obliged to start their first-choice players in a competition they found success in just last season.

The Spanish international’s top priority is to make sure that the loan at Madrid leads to a prolonged stay, as his prospects at Chelsea are not entirely favourable.

In the past summer, he had already packed his bags to join Bayern Munich, but the last-minute call from Madrid after Courtois’ blow led to an unexpected twist in the tale.

With half a season remaining, Kepa will be looking to capitalize on his status as a starter with the intention of becoming a permanent player for Real Madrid.