Real Madrid confirm massive fitness blow ahead of Osasuna clash
By Tom Gott
Real Madrid have confirmed that midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni will miss Saturday's meeting with Osasuna due to illness.
Los Blancos are already without the unwell Toni Kroos, who has been battling a stomach problem, and now Tchouameni has joined him on the sidelines.
"Aurelien Tchouameni will not play tonight in the match between Real Madrid and Osasuna," a club statement read.
"The Frenchman is out at the last minute due to the flu and does not travel to Pamplona."
With limited options in midfield, Carlo Ancelotti has called up academy star Mario Martin to take Tchouameni's place.
It means Eduardo Camavinga will likely abandon his role as a makeshift left-back in favour of returning to midfield, where he could partner Luka Modric and the resurgent Dani Ceballos.
Ancelotti has also revealed that star striker Karim Benzema will be rested for the game after picking up a knock against Elche, with Alvaro Rodriguez stepping up into the senior squad to take his place.
“He’s doing well," Ancelotti said of Rodriguez. "He’ll be in the squad because he’s a guy we trust. A profile we don’t have: very tall, he’s a good header of the ball... He can help us.”