Benzema set for Real return

Real Madrid are set to welcome back French striker Karim Benzema to their squad for Saturday’s league match away to Sporting Gijon following a month-long injury absence.

Benzema last played for the Spanish league giants in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Lyon on February 16 and was subsequently sidelined with adductor and groin problems.

After that 1-0 defeat in Lyon, Real were sent crashing out of the Champions League after a second leg 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium last week.

Real said on their website they were happy that Benzema completed a full training session early Wednesday morning.

Press reports now suggest the 22-year-old French international, who is currently battling Argentine star Gonzalo Higuain for the number one striker’s spot, will come off the bench to play on Saturday.

Real sit top of the Spanish Primera Liga with arch rivals Barcelona in second, also on 65 points from 26 games. Gijon are 12th on 32.