Ricardo Carvalho: Ex Chelsea star ready for Arsenal visit to Monaco after overcoming injury

Former Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho is ready for the crucial Champions League encounter between Monaco and Arsenal after returning to action during the Ligue 1 side's 3-0 victory over Bastia on 13 March.

However, manager Leonardo Jardim was without Jeremy Toulalan, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco for the game against Bastia due to some fitness concerns and it is still uncertain whether the trio missed the game as a precaution or will be unavailable for the Champions League game too.

Toulalan missed the first leg at the Emirates Stadium due to suspension but both Kondogbia and Ferreira Carrasco were crucial in London with one goal each.

Portuguese star Carvalho suffered an injury in February and had been unable to play since the Monaco victory over Guingamp.

He has missed the last three domestic league games and was also out of action during Monaco's 3-1 victory over the Gunners in the Champions League last 16 first-leg on 25 February.

But the former Chelsea defender was able to complete the full 90 minutes on 13 March to help his side secure an easy victory, consolidating fourth place in the French table, and is ready to host the Gunners on 17 March.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov started the game against Bastian on the bench in order to arrive in full fitness for the Arsenal game after scoring a goal at the Emirates Stadium.

"It's the perfect evening. The team played well and produced a great display, creating a lot of chances," Jardim said after the game against Bastia.

"We didn't need to use a lot of energy in the last 30 minutes, that's good. The Bastia team that knocked us out of the Coupe de la Ligue was more aggressive. After the first red card, it was easier for us."