体坛英语新闻：Without Ronaldo, Iker's future takes spotlight against Galatasaray

MADRID, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Without Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid's visit for Turkish side Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, Iker Casillas is raised in the Spanish press on Tuesday for how much longer he will be at the club.

Spanish sports paper Diario AS insists that Iker will be on his way to Manchester City before long and the goalkeeper himself did little to quell the rumor on Tuesday with an enigmatic message on Twitter, promising "interesting" news in the near future.

With England international Joe Hart out of favor at the Ethiad Stadium, Manchester City are in the market for a big name keeper, and Casillas, who is currently substitute in the league for Madrid, could fit the bill perfectly.

Real Madrid have already assured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, but need one point from their last two games to guarantee the top finish of their qualifying group and thus avoid a slightly tougher draw in the knockout phase.

Galatasaray travel to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with memories of the six goals Madrid put past them in Istanbul still fresh in their mind, but knowing that if they can take a point it would keep their hopes of qualifying for the next stage, given that Juventus are struggling in the group and Real Madrid still have to play Copenhagen.

They will take comfort in the fact that Ronaldo will miss the game, although the sight of 40,000 fans wearing Ronaldo facemasks in support of his bid to win the Balon D'Or, may be a slightly offputting sight.

Angel Di Maria is also sidelined with a muscle injury and once again left backs Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo are also out through injury, perhaps opening the door for Nacho Gonzalez to return to first team action.

With the last 16 assured, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti may be tempted to rotate his side with players such as Alvaro Morata getting a start, while Luka Modric will probably retake his place in the side after being rested at the weekend after his efforts with Croatia.

It will be interesting to see how Madrid fare without Ronaldo in the starting 11 and the absence of the Portuguese striker will pass more protagonism to Gareth Bale, who could see more of the ball.

But the game will also be about Iker Casillas. Just over a month ago, he said he would have to think about his position at the club unless his position changed.

With the transfer window opening in just over a month, he is still watching league games from the dugout and the Wednesday's game may be his penultimate appearance for the club.