Kylian Mbappe is ready to play his part in Real Madrid's Champions League last 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed. 

Mbappe, who is the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals, missed last week's 3-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February 21.

The France international has netted more times against the Citizens than any other opponent (seven), including netting a hat-trick in his most recent appearance against them in last season's play-off round, and will be keen to have his say here. 

Madrid are looking to eliminate City from the Champions League knockout stages for a fifth time. Only Bayern Munich have been eliminated by an opponent on more than five occasions in the knockout stages of the competition (seven against Los Blancos).

Arbeloa's team are already assigned an 87% chance of reaching the quarter-finals by the Opta supercomputer, with those hopes boosted by Arbeloa's comments on Mbappe's availability on Monday. 

"He is ready to play," Arbeloa told reporters. "So, tomorrow you will see."

But there has been a suggestion that Madrid have improved without Mbappe in their ranks.  

The 27-year-old has missed 13 games in all competitions this term, with Madrid averaging more goals (2.5 to 2.1) when they do not have him in the side, though Arbeloa was quick to defend his star striker. 

"It's hard to imagine a team being more competitive without the best player in the world. But that speaks volumes about how well the team is doing," Arbeloa added. 

"Kylian brings different qualities to the team than other players like Brahim, but he also has a great understanding of the game.

"He's a very intelligent player and capable of moving into the spaces created by the opposition. I'm eager to have him on the pitch."

But one player who won't feature despite travelling over for the match at Etihad Stadium is Jude Bellingham, who is nearing a return from a hamstring injury. 

Bellingham sustained the issue at the start of February and was expected to be sidelined for a month, though scans confirmed the injury was more serious than first thought.

"Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates to be with the team. He will continue and do part of the training, but he won't be available tomorrow," Arbeloa said.

"Mbappe is already available, so you will see him. I am eager to have him on the field, to enjoy him and his goals, but also in the game, he will be a very important player."

Bellingham's absence had raised doubts about his availability for England's friendlies later this month against Uruguay and Japan.

Arbeloa said he was "very happy" to see Bellingham "getting closer" to a return and acknowledged his presence will lift Real's squad for the game.

"It will be very important for his team-mates to see him training today and tomorrow before the match, at half-time, or afterwards," he added.

"He is a player who will be one of the leaders, and he already is. It's very important that he is here with us."