Dani Carvajal has backed Vinicius Junior to be "unstoppable again very soon" after a poor start to the season with Real Madrid.

After signing a new six-year deal in the summer, Vinicius has scored just once and provided three assists in 11 appearances this season.

The 26-year-old is also currently halfway through serving a four-match ban in LaLiga after pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during Madrid's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

He missed their Clasico victory over Barcelona on Sunday, with Yan Diomande also emerging as a potential starter for Jose Mourinho's side.

Vinicius has been starting in Madrid's Champions League games during his league suspension, but many have called for the Brazilian to be dropped for Diomande.

Despite the criticism, Carvajal believes Vinicius will return to his best at some point this season.

"He's a fantastic person. He brings immense joy to the locker room," Carvajal told AS about Vinicius.

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"And he's never hesitated to carry the team on his shoulders, to ask for the ball when matches were at their toughest, and that's something to be valued. A player who never hides.

"I think that objectively, right now, with the sending-off the other day, with the doubts about whether he should play or not… well, it's not a pleasant situation for absolutely anyone. But Vini has bounced back from more complex situations.

"He needs to stay calm; he just renewed his contract, he has years ahead of him, he's a spectacular player, and we're going to see that unstoppable Vini again very soon."

Madrid are third in LaLiga, three points behind leaders Barca following their 2-1 victory at Camp Nou at the weekend.

Los Blancos face three more away fixtures before the international break, travelling to Racing Santander and Valencia either side of a trip to Athens to face AEK in the Champions League.