Tyrhys Dolan, the Manchester-born winger who spent five years at Blackburn Rovers before joining Espanyol last summer, is preparing to face Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium in what he describes as one of the biggest tests of his career. The 24-year-old has started his second Spanish season strongly, scoring in Espanyol's 3-0 opening-weekend win over Levante, and says he will not let the occasion change his or his team's approach against a side he expects to bring their best.

The match, on Saturday at 20:30 BST, marks Real Madrid's first fixture of the season under new manager Mourinho, and could see Dolan line up against fellow Englishmen Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold, though he insists there will be no time for socialising before kick-off. Dolan credits his first year in Spain, adapting to a new country, culture and language, with maturing him both on and off the pitch, and says the standard of La Liga has sharpened his decision-making and crossing. Having made over 30 appearances last season, he now feels a greater sense of responsibility within the Espanyol squad heading into the new campaign.