Team News: Gareth Bale on bench as Real Madrid host Girona

Gareth Bale has been named on the Real Madrid bench for Sunday's La Liga encounter with Girona at the Bernabeu.

The Wales forward has shaken off a knock and is named among the substitutes as Los Blancos seek to avenge their 2-1 away defeat in the reverse fixture.

Luka Modric also passed a late fitness test to make the bench alongside Bale, but defender and captain Sergio Ramos is not in the matchday squad.

Karim Benzema returns to the Real starting XI and will be hoping to improve on his tally of seven goals across all competitions, lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

Girona have goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz back from injury and on the bench, although left-back Carles Planas remains unavailable.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Lucas, Kovacic, Kroos, Asensio; Benzema, Ronaldo Subs: Casilla, Vallejo, Modric, Bale, Casemiro, Theo, Isco

Girona: Bounou; Ramalho, Espinosa, Ramirez; Maffeo, Pere, Granell, Mojica; Portu, Borja; Stuani Subs: Iraizoz, Aday, Olunga, Timor, Lozano, Muniesa, Garcia

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