Team News: Karim Benzema leads Real Madrid line against Barcelona

Karim Benzema has been selected at the tip of the Real Madrid attack for Sunday afternoon's La Liga clash with Barcelona at Camp Nou.

There had been fears that a foot problem would rule the France international out of the contest, but he was named in the Los Blancos squad for El Clasico.

Benzema has now been included in the first XI for Sunday's affair, with the 33-year-old selected in the middle of a front three, which also includes Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior.

Fit-again Dani Carvajal is back on the bench, but Lucas Vazquez is given the nod at right-back, while Ferland Mendy starts a second successive game at left-back following his return from injury.

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are selected as the midfield three, with Federico Valverde on the bench, while David Alaba will play alongside Eder Militao in the middle of the defence.

Luka Jovic, Isco, Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos remain unavailable for selection through injury.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius