Real Madrid duo miss training ahead of crunch Espanyol game

Real Madrid are sweating over the fitness of a number of key players ahead of Saturday's visit from Espanyol.

Los Blancos have fallen nine points behind another Catalan side, Barcelona, in the La Liga title race and the pressure has been ramped up on Carlo Ancelotti as a result.

Dropping points against 13th-placed Espanyol would be another massive dent to their already-slim hopes of fighting for the title, but Real may have to attack the game without a number of key players.

Centre-back Antonio Rudiger missed training on Wednesday, although his absence is not thought to be serious and the German is still likely to face Espanyol, although the same cannot be said for striker Karim Benzema.

The 35-year-old striker, who has already been sidelined by five separate injuries this season, is feared to have picked up a sixth as reports in Spain state Benzema has not returned to training on Thursday because of an ankle problem.

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Benzema remains away from the team and will continue to work individually indoors, sparking major doubts over whether he will be fit to face Espanyol.

Backup striker Mariano Diaz is also doubtful with a muscular injury, which will likely see Brazilian winger Rodrygo take up a role at the top of Real's attack on Saturday.

David Alaba remains sidelined through injury and he will be joined in the stands by left-back Ferland Mendy, who was back in training on Thursday but is not expected to be thrown back into competitive action so soon.