Team News: Lionel Messi named on the bench for El Clasico

Lionel Messi is only fit enough for a place on the bench as Barcelona travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in El Clasico this evening.

The Argentine forward has missed his side's last 10 games, and in his absence Andres Iniesta joins Neymar and Luis Suarez in attack for Luis Enrique's side.

Real Madrid welcome back a key man of their own as Karim Benzema returns to the side after sitting out the defeat against Sevilla.

Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez, who made their returns from injury in that game, keep their places alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Bale, James, Ronaldo; Benzema Subs: Casilla, Pepe, Casemiro, Carvajal, Kovacic, Jese, Isco

Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Sergio, S. Roberto, Rakitic; Neymar, Iniesta, Suarez Subs: Ter Stegen, Messi, Munir, Sandro, Adriano, Vermaelen, Mathieu

Follow all the action from the Santiago Bernabeu with Sports Mole's live commentary.