Real strike force depleted through injury

Real Madrid's injury woes mounted Friday with news that two more top strikers—Frenchman Karim Benzema and Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain—are unavailable for the match against Gijon this weekend.

Benzema is injured in both feet and Higuain has a muscle problem in his left leg, the club said.

Real is already without Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who has a sprained ankle, and Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who has been sidelined for several weeks with a thigh muscle injury.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini has been forced to call up 21-year-old Paraguayan Javier Acuna from the reserves to support veteran captain Raul up front.