La Liga

Injury Problems Hurting Real Madrid

Real Madrid attacking options are pretty slim as Gonzalo Higuain’s back problem could make it tough to get through the coming weeks. That leaves Karim Benzema as Real’s only an out-and-out attacker.

With the January transfer window right around the corner will Jose Mourinho be jumping into the transfer market to strengthen his squad?

“Signing players is not an issue for me to deal with but I already said at the beginning of the season it would be difficult with only Benzema and Higuain,” said Mourinho. If I have to go through the rest of the season only with Benzema it will be much more difficult.  But this is something you have to ask the director general (Jorge Valdano) and he can tell you the club’s position.”

Mourinho said he expected Kaka to return in January as a knee operation has prevented him playing this season.

“(There has been) good work from the medical department … spectacular work from Kaka himself, which is the most important. continued Mourinho. We are waiting and I think that when we come back from Christmas I hope to have Kaka training with the team again.”

For the trip to Real Zaragoza on Sunday. Mourinho will be without right back Sergio Ramos, who is sidelined for up to three weeks with ligament damage in his right knee, the club said on their website.  Alvaro Arbeloa will come in as a replacement.

Central defender Ricardo Carvalho returns from suspension, while midfielder Sami Khedira is unavailable after picking up a fifth yellow card in last weekend’s 2-0 home win against Valencia.