Dani Ceballos has made the startling admission that new permanent Real Madrid head coach Santiago Solari believes Isco is out of form.

Isco, 26, has not started for Los Blancos since the 5-1 humiliation on October 28 at Barcelona that hastened the demise of Julen Lopetegui.

The playmaker underwent surgery for appendicitis in September and Ceballos is aware how much this has impacted his colleague.

“He had a major injury and it’s not easy to come back in,” Ceballos said to Mega’s Chiringuito programme.

“The coach who has arrived said that he looked at him [Isco] and maybe his form isn’t what it should be, but he is fundamental for us.

“He [Solari] has been a footballer and he knows how the team and Real Madrid works.”

Isco has scored once and made two assists in eight La Liga displays this term.