David Alaba, Gareth Bale missing for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano

David Alaba and Gareth Bale have been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Saturday's La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano.

Los Blancos were expected to have a fully-fit squad available for the contest, with the capital giants looking to move nine points clear at the top of the table.

However, Alaba was unable to train on Friday morning due to a thigh problem, meaning that he has been left out of the squad, so Nacho could come into the defence alongside Eder Militao.

Bale trained with his teammates on Friday, but Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said that the Wales international was suffering with muscular overload problems.

Federico Valverde had emerged as a doubt for the match through illness, but the Uruguay international has been included in the travelling party.

Meanwhile, Mariano Diaz has overcome a pelvic problem, so Ancelotti has a host of options in the final third, with Luka Jovic, Rodrygo and Eden Hazard all competing with Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema for starting roles this weekend.

Full squad: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Luis Lopez, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho, Marcelo, Lucas Vazquez, Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Isco, Eduardo Camavinga, Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Luka Jovic, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Mariano Diaz