Sneijder gets nod for Real for Barcelona clash

Real Madrid's new coach Juande Ramos has included Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who has been sidelined with a thigh strain, in his lineup for the club's match away to arch rivals Barcelona on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined since he was stretchered off the pitch after picking up the muscular injury to his right leg during Real's 3-1 defeat away to Getafe on November 29 and had been in doubt for the key match.

With fellow midfielders Ruben de la Red and Mahamadou Diarra sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury, Sneijder's return would be a welcome relief but Ramos said he was not sure if he could use the player on Saturday.

“Doctors are thinking about whether or not he can play,” Ramos said Friday.

Real, the reigning Spanish champions, are currently in fifth place in the league, nine points adrift of Barcelona.