The European list: Real Madrid shock their player and surprise their new signing

Real Madrid have sent UEFA their list of players registered to take part in the Champions League, and Ferland Mendy's name was not on it.

That call could hand Real Madrid a solution ahead of their opening game in Europe's premier club competition, scheduled for next Tuesday against visiting Inter Milan. The player only recently joined from Racing.

Jose Mourinho will be without a trio for the tie. Arda Guler, Camavinga and Bernardo Silva are all suspended.

Doubts over Tchouameni's fitness sharpen the crisis. The Frenchman has not made a single squad this season and missed the pre-season matches with a mysterious muscle injury. Thiago Pitarch's availability is also in question.

All of which means Sergio Martinez could make his Champions League debut just five days after being named in his first Real Madrid squad.

Real Madrid initially brought Sergio Martinez in from Racing to strengthen Castilla, but he trained this week under Jose Mourinho and impressed both the coach and the first-team players.

Mendy, meanwhile, was back out on the pitch at Valdebebas about two weeks ago. Given his long injury history, the club are treating the timing of his return with real caution.

The most optimistic forecasts had pencilled in a return during September or October, after he underwent surgery following a tear to the rectus femoris tendon in his right leg.

Marc Cucurella's arrival and Fran Garcia's departure give Real Madrid two options at left-back alongside Carreras, especially with question marks still hanging over Mendy's ability to come back from surgery.

Mendy's absence is not the only notable feature of the list Real Madrid sent to UEFA. Up to eight B-list players also appear: Fortea, Juan Martinez and Mario Rivas in defence, Thiago, Cestero, Lacosta and Valero in midfield, and Yanez in attack.