Karim Benzema is back in the Real Madrid starting XI for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo.

The France international was absent against Barcelona before the international break due to a calf problem, but he returned to training last week and is back in the starting side this weekend.

Ferland Mendy has also recovered from an abductor injury and will feature at left-back, while David Alaba and Eder Militao will continue in the middle of the defence.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to make a change at right-back, though, with Lucas Vazquez brought into the side, replacing Dani Carvajal, who drops to the bench.

There had been claims that Ancelotti could rest Toni Kroos, who was unwell over the international break, ahead of next week's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Chelsea.

However, the German is in the starting side, featuring alongside Luka Modric and Casemiro in the first-choice midfield.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio will start alongside Benzema in a front three.

REAL MADRID: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius

Written by
Matt Law