Alonso, Arbeloa ready for Real duty

Midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Alvaro Arbeloa returned to Real Madrid's squad today - a day ahead of their final UEFA Champions League group match away at Ajax, the Spanish giants announced. Alonso, who was suspended for Real's last league outing, which was a 3-0 defeat of Sporting Gijon, is set to travel to Amsterdam, although he could be rested by Jose Mourinho for Saturday's match against Barcelona. Arbeloa returns to the squad having missed the match against Valencia with an injury knock. Real have already qualified for the last-16 knockout phase, giving manager Mourinho the luxury of resting goalkeeper Iker Casillas, along with Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Sami Khedira, Lassana Diarra and Cristiano Ronaldo. The match, however, will be decisive for both Ajax and French club Lyon, both of whom are vying for second place and thus entry to the last 16. A draw would be enough to see Ajax secure second place in Group D, although Lyon, who have a three-point deficit to the Dutch, need to beat Dinamo Zagreb and hope for a heavy Ajax defeat to have any chance of going through.