Real Madrid centre-forward Karim Benzema is expected to miss Sunday's El Clasico with Barcelona, as the Frenchman nurses a calf problem.

The 34-year-old, who has scored 22 La Liga goals this season, was not training with his teammates on Saturday morning, seemingly confirming that he will be absent against Barcelona.

As a result, Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti will be forced into a rethink in the final third of the field.

Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz have only managed one league goal between them this season, but the pair are options to replace Benzema in the starting side on Sunday evening.

Gareth Bale, meanwhile, started as a central striker against Villarreal at the start of February, when Benzema was last unavailable due to a hamstring problem.

Isco was given the nod as a false nine in the match with Granada on February 6, though, and the Spaniard could be utilised in that position once again this weekend. body check tags ::