Soccer:Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will not be fit for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Tottenham, according to Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Primera Division game against Sporting Gijon, the Portuguese claimed Ronaldo, Benzema and Marcelo would not be available until the April 9th encounter with Athletic Bilbao.
“Cristiano, Marcelo and Benzema can only play in Bilbao,” he said.
Ronaldo has been struggling with a hamstring injury while fellow forward Benzema picked up a slight thigh strain on France duty and full-back Marcelo suffered a blow to the ribs while training with Brazil.
On a brighter note for Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain could make an earlier-than-expected return following back surgery.
The Argentina striker has been included in the squad for tomorrow’s game, and Mourinho said: “His recovery is a positive surprise because we thought he may miss up to the final 15 games of the season and having him is important.”
