Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Vinicius Junior will return for Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Atalanta, but said he was "worried" about his side's recent form. 

Vinicius has missed Madrid's last three games in all competitions with a muscle injury sustained in Los Blancos' 3-0 win over Leganes in the league last month. 

His absence from the squad has seen Ancelotti's men struggle for results, losing to Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao either side of a home triumph over Getafe. 

In LaLiga this season, Vinicius has created the most chances (29), completed the most dribbles (38) and registered the most goal involvements (13) for Madrid. 

"Seeing Vinicius back is good news, it gives us more encouragement," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

"He has recovered very well. He won't be in tomorrow's game, but he'll be ready for the next one, in the Champions League."

Ancelotti also provided an update on David Alaba, who is yet to feature for Madrid this term after picking up an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year.

"Alaba has encouraged us a lot in training, but he needs another month to be ready to play in January," Ancelotti added.

"In December he will continue to work individually and little by little he will also join the team. But the deadline for him is next year."

Madrid sit second in the standings, four points behind Barcelona at the summit, though they have a game in hand over their Clasico rivals. 

But Ancelotti's side come into their weekend encounter against Girona in poor form, having lost five of their last 11 matches across all competitions. 

They have also lost 50% of their visits to Girona at the Municipal de Montilivi in LaLiga (P4 W2 L2).

Only against Barcelona (54.3% - P94 W23 D20 L51) do they have a higher percentage of away defeats in the competition (50% also against Alcoyano and Lleida).

But they have also struggled in the Champions League, sitting 24th in the new 36-team league table and at a threat of not reaching the knockout stages. 

"I'm worried, and it's normal, but it's not a funeral," Ancelotti said. "We're still in the fight in all competitions.

"(We recognise) our problems, but we have to be optimistic because we have a quality squad.

"We haven't played at our best, but we're convinced that we're going to do it, sooner or later. My level of concern is medium."

Ancelotti was also calm about the form of Kylian Mbappe, who missed his second penalty in a week during their 2-1 defeat to Bilbao on Wednesday. 

Despite having more shots on target (three) and more touches in the opposition's box (six) than any player on the pitch in that game, the Frenchman struggled again. 

"He is aware (he hasn't been at his best)," Ancelotti said. "Obviously, we are with him.

"He's not playing at his best, but there are many who aren't either and are not aware of it. He is. And he's doing everything he can to do it as soon as possible.

"He has improved a lot when it comes to the intensity of the game. Against Getafe, he did 600 metres at maximum intensity and against Athletic he did 500.

"It's a good level. We have to support him, but that doesn't mean he has to play every game."