Team News: Real Madrid bring in Raphael Varane for Sergio Ramos

Zinedine Zidane has brought in Raphael Varane for the injured Sergio Ramos as Real Madrid host Sporting Gijon in La Liga this afternoon.

The defender's calf injury allows Varane to make his first league start since November - the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona - in Zidane's only change from the side that defeated Deportivo La Coruna 5-0 in his first match in charge last time out.

James Rodriguez again starts on the bench as Zidane keeps faith in Isco alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, while Dani Carvajal is again preferred to Danilo.

Mateo Kovacic returns from suspension and is named among the substitutes.

For the relegation-threatened visitors, Miguel Angel Guerrero is picked to lead the line ahead of Antonio Sanabria in one of four changes from manager Abelardo Fernandez.

There are two changes in midfield, as Sergio Alvarez and Jony come in for Omar Mascarell and Carlos Carmona, while Jorge Mere replaces Bernardo at centre-back.

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

Sporting Gijon: Cuellar; Lora, Luis, Mere, Isma; Sergio, Cases; Jony, Halilovic, Menendez; Guerrero Subs: Alberto Garcia, Guitian, Carmona, Sanabria, Pablo Perez, Rachid, Ndi

Follow live coverage of the La Liga encounter with Sports Mole's text commentary here.