Isco, Alaba added to Real Madrid's COVID-19 list

Madrid, Dec 21, 2021 (AFP) - Spanish midfielder Isco and Austrian defender David Alaba have joined Real Madrid's list of players contracting Covid-19, the Liga leaders announced on Tuesday.

"Real Madrid C. F. confirm our players Isco and David Alaba have tested positive for COVID-19," the club said in a statement.

The pair join six other players recovering from the virus -- Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Andriy Lunin, Rodrygo, Luka Modric and Marcelo -- and assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, son of head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Real play Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Under Liga protocols, a club must have at least 13 players, at least five of them first-teamers and one a goalkeeper, available to play a match.

Vaccinated players can return as soon as they test negative.