Key pair ruled out for Malaga

Malaga have been dealt a blow ahead of their hosting of Real Madrid, with Julio Baptista and Duda ruled out of the La Liga clash.

The attacking duo will not be fit for the match after failing to recover from minor knocks, forcing manager Manuel Pellegrini to leave them out of his squad.

Malaga were already without goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who is suspended after seeing red against Levante on Sunday.

The absences have led Pellegrini to include midfielder Apono after a long absence from first-team football, while youth goalkeeper Pol has also won a place in the squad.

Malaga lie sixth in the La Liga standings with 13 points from seven games, three points adrift of their opponents in third.