Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster is ready to risk defender Gabriel Heinze in tonight’s Champions League game at AS Roma despite the danger of a relapse of the thigh strain that sidelined him for more than a month.

The nine-times European champions are short-handed at the back due to injuries to Pepe, Christoph Metzelder and Marcelo for the first leg of the tie.

“I don’t think there’s much of a risk (of the injury returning), but we have to take it,” Schuster told a news conference yesterday.

“It would have been perfect if he could have played (in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Real Betis) in Seville. It wasn’t possible. But I think he is in shape and has the desire to help us. Maybe he won’t play the whole match.”

In-form Brazilian forward Robinho, Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Javier Saviola will also be missing through injury for the Primera Liga leaders, who have lost two of their last three games.

However, Schuster said he was not worried about returning to European action during a dip in domestic form.