Karim Benzema not included in Real Madrid squad to face Athletic Bilbao

Striker Karim Benzema has been left out of Real Madrid’s 20-man squad for Saturday evening’s Spanish Primera Division encounter with Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

The 23-year-old picked up a thigh injury during international duty with France against Croatia last week and missed last weekend’s 1-0 league defeat to Sporting Gijon and midweek’s 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Benzema was expected to return to action against Athletic on Saturday but has been kept out of the side to allow him more time to recover.

Midfielders Fernando Gago, Pedro Leon and Sami Khedira are also missing because of their respective injuries but attacking midfielder Kaka has been included along with forward Gonzalo Higuain.