Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admits Ricardo Carvalho is well back in his defensive pecking order.

The former Chelsea defender is on the outer at Real after failing to get a move away over the summer.

Mou said: "We have a lot of central defenders and they are all good. He is one of them, he is the oldest, the one with fewer years ahead of him, the one who finishes his contract at the end of the season and who will not renew it. We have a central defender of 19 years of age, who could be playing for Real Madrid C or in Castilla, but in Castilla the central defenders are 24 or 25 years old.

"He is playing in the first team and is doing it at a high level. Ramos and Pepe are very good and fully trained. Albiol is also an optimum player. Carvalho is working well, is an optimum professional and if we have problems one day he may play."