Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has handed a start to Jose Callejon for Los Blancos’ trip to Castile and Leon to face Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday evening.
The former Espanyol man was on the scoresheet twice in the Champions League win over Ajax on Wednesday, and his good form has seen him keep the likes of Angel Di Maria and Luka Modric on the bench for the away fixture this evening.
Sergio Ramos and Pepe have returned to the centre-back positions, with Raphael Varane and Ricardo Carvalho the players to make way in defence. Nacho once again starts in the left-back slot and Alvaro Arbeloa returns from suspension.
Mesut Ozil retains his place just behind the central striker, Karim Benzema.
Valladolid have been boosted with the news this week that Marc Valiente and Manucho have both recovered from their respective injuries, and both make the starting XI tonight.
Jesus Rueda was injured in last weekend’s match with Sevilla, so Henrique Sereno deputises at centre-back for the hosts.
Valladolid (4-2-3-1): Hernandez; Rukavina, Sereno, Valiente, Balenziaga; Alvaro, Victor; Ebert, Oscar, Omar; Manucho.
Subs: Jaime, Pena, Baraja, Sastre, Neira, Bueno, Guerra
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Nacho; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
Subs: Adan, Varane, Kaka, Essien, Modric, Di Maria, Morata