Miguel Angel Portugal insists it is possible to get his second spell in charge of Racing off to the best possible start, with a result at Real Madrid.

Racing have won just once all season and sit above the relegation zone on goal difference alone after 10 rounds of the championship.

That miserable run saw the club axe coach Juan Carlos Mandia and re-appoint Portugal who enjoyed a promising first spell at the club, before leaving in 2007 to work as technical secretary at Real Madrid.

Portugal returns to the Bernabeu tomorrow and although he is aware of how difficult his task is, he remains confident his team are not certainties for a hefty defeat.

"I'm conscious of the fact that I'm returning to Racing because things haven't gone well," he said. "I'm very excited to be returning to a team where I was treated very well and that needs now to react.

"I think we can do that in the Bernabeu where we have a game in which we can move forwards with dignity.

"With the base that we have we can have a good season and take the team forwards.

"The squad is good, we are only lacking a bit of luck and I am convinced that by working hard it can give sufficiently more than what they have done up until now,"

Edu Bedia and Ivan Bolado are injured, while Manuel Arana is also carrying a knock and has not been included in the squad.

Jose Angel Crespo, Oriol, Laszlo Sepsi and Toni Moral have all been left behind by Portugal.

Madrid will be looking to bounce back following a disappointing few weeks before the international break.

They were hugely criticised after crashing out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of Second Division B side Alcorcon.

Having gone down 4-0 in the first leg, Madrid could only win the second match 1-0 at home.

However, in the league they sit just a point behind Primera Liga leaders Barcelona - who they meet the following week - and the Spanish giants will be overwhelming favourites to see off Santander comfortably.

Madrid have won all five of their home matches this season and another victory would see them top the table at least temporarily, with Barca not playing until later that evening, but coach Manuel Pellegrini is not taking anything for granted.

"All Real Madrid's games are very important," he said. "We are playing in front of our fans and we want to put on a good spectacle.

"Let's hope tomorrow we can give our fans a display which can allow them to be pleased with the result and the team's performance.

"We all know the importance of the game against Barca, but we are a mature team. For us, now what is most important is tomorrow's game.

"Then we have a match against Zurich. Once we have passed these two obstacles we will think about the game against Barcelona."

Cristiano Ronaldo resumed training with his team-mates today but the Portugal international is still not fit enough to feature tomorrow.

Guti remains injured while Ruud van Nistelrooy and Lassana Diarra are also sidelined.

Sergio Ramos is suspended following his red card in the victory over Atletico Madrid but Raul Albiol returns to the team after serving his one-match ban.