Benzema fit for Malaga cup clash

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho expects striker Karim Benzema to be fit for Tuesday’s crunch Copa del Rey clash with Malaga.

The French forward netted twice in Saturday’s 5-1 rout of Granada but was hauled off eight minutes into the second half of the game at the Santiago Bernabeu with a minor leg problem.

However, Mourinho said on the eve of his side’s trip to Malaga, where they must defend a 3-2 lead from the first leg of their last 16 tie, that Benzema has almost fully recovered from the knock.

“I think that Benzema is much better, we have to watch his progress but I think that he will be there tomorrow (Tuesday),” the Portuguese coach told the club website.

Mourinho also revealed that fit-again full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is likely to feature in the squad.

Pepe did not feature against Granada but Sergio Ramos is back to full fitness after missing the first leg and should be partnered by Raul Albiol.

Lassana Diarra is expected to play at right-back with Sami Khedira partnering Xabi Alonso in midfield.

Angel Di Maria and Ricardo Carvalho are injured and Joaquin is out of contention as the winger has been ruled out for a month with a strained muscle.

Julio Baptista will also miss the match for Malaga.