Key duo to miss Tenerife trip

Real Madrid are likely to be without Fernando Hierro and Luis Figo when they visit Tenerife on Saturday, who picked up knocks in midweek.

Skipper Hierro retired from Tuesday's Champions League tie against Panathinaikos after receiving a blow to the head.

The 33-year-old Spanish international left the field in a nauseous daze and although scans revealed no damage, coach Vincente Del Bosque is taking no chances and will rest Hierro at Tenerife.

Hierro's central-defensive slot will go to Aitor Karanka, who has recently come back after a muscle tear injury.

Figo spent just 15 minutes on the training field before heading straight for the gym.

Real's medical chief Alfonso del Corral explained that the Portuguese star has sprained his left thigh and that the club will be seeing how both players' problems evolve in the next 24 hours. Claude Makelele has been able to return to training after a throat infection but his inclusion at the weekend is also debatable.