Ricardo Carvalho has been ruled out of Saturday's match between Real Madrid and Barcelona due to a knee injury.

Carvalho, 33, has been plagued by injuries over the past two months, and this latest set-back means he will miss the top-of-the-table clash between the two famous clubs.

Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who has an otherwise full squad to choose from, has played down the importance of Saturday's game.

"It is one more game and there is not much time until it starts," said Mourinho.

"That is normal for us. For everyone else it is a different game, but for us life continues as normal."

Real Madrid currently sit three points clear at the top of La Liga with a game in hand over their arch rivals.