Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been left in Champions League limbo after his side decided to inscribe midfielder Lassana Diarra in its squad for the rest of the competition.

Poor planning saw Real Madrid sign both Huntelaar and Diarra in the January transfer without realizing that UEFA rules only allowed the club to include one player who has previously played European football in their squad for the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Huntelaar had played UEFA Cup football with Dutch side Ajax, while Diarra had played in the UEFA Cup with Portsmouth. That oversight led to criticism of then President Ramon Calderon and Director of Sport Pedja Mijatovic.

It also left the club with a difficult decision to make, especially as Real Madrid paid 7 million Euros for the Dutch striker and around 9 million for Diarra.

However, Diarra's performances in midfield since his arrival have convinced the club that he should be the player to be chosen.

New signing Julien Faubert, who has not played in Europe this season, has also been included in the squad along with B-team striker Adan Szalai.

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 3, 2009)