Karim Benzema 'set to miss El Clasico through injury'

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema will allegedly not be available for Sunday's El Clasico with Barcelona.

The France international emerged as a major doubt for the La Liga contest due to a calf problem, with a report on Friday claiming that he has just a '40% chance' of playing against Xavi's side.

Benzema was not training with his teammates on Saturday morning, though, which has seemingly ruled him out of the clash with Barcelona.

According to journalist Sergio Quirante, the striker's absence from the training session means that he will not be involved against the Catalan giants in the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid are not believed to be concerned by the calf issue, which is described as 'minor', but head coach Carlo Ancelotti is said to be unprepared to take any risks ahead of a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea next month.

Los Blancos are in a strong position at the top of the La Liga table, sitting 10 points clear of second-placed Sevilla and 15 clear of third-placed Barcelona.

Ferland Mendy is also out for the home side this weekend due to a muscular problem.