Rafael Benitez: 'Sergio Ramos still out of action'

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that Sergio Ramos is still not ready to return to first-team action due to a long-term shoulder problem.

Ramos has been troubled by a shoulder injury over the last couple of months and has missed Los Blancos' last four matches with the issue.

It had been claimed that the Spanish centre-back would return for Tuesday's Champions League Group A match against Malmo, but Benitez has ruled his captain out of the European fixture.

"Ramos is not ready for the game. I think he will be ready for the game versus Villarreal [on Sunday]," Benitez told reporters.

Marcelo, however, is expected to return for the Malmo match, while Raphael Varane has also been given an outside chance of taking part.