Madrid squad size makes James situation complicated - Zidane

The former Porto and Monaco playmaker has been rumoured to be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, and his boss cannot guarantee he will take a first XI role next season

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says the size of his squad makes the subject of James Rodriguez's future "complicated".

Rodriguez has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in recent weeks, even reportedly attracting the interest of ambitious Premier League outfit West Ham.

Zidane appears reluctant to allow the Colombia international to leave but concedes he may not be able to offer him regular first-team football.

"The idea with James is the same as with everyone else - he's a Real Madrid player," said Zidane.

"I'm not going to tell you that James is a starter. He's an important player. We'll see what happens this year, I have a big squad and it's complicated."

Madrid bolstered their attacking ranks by re-signing Alvaro Morata from Juventus last month, but Zidane was just as cautious about talking up the returning striker's role in the team.