De Maria injury limits Madrid's options in attack

Real Madrid's injury problems have begun to mount up in recent days. Following the confirmation that striker Karim Benzema will be out of action for between two and three weeks after tearing a groin muscle during Tuesday night's 1-1 Champions League draw away to CSKA Moscow, winger Angel de Maria will also be out of action. De Maria suffered a relapse of the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for most of 2012. The winger returned to action as a second half substitute during his side's 4-0 win at home to Racing Santander last Saturday. He scored an excellent goal in the game, but then fell badly in the closing minutes. Tests have finally confirmed that De Maria has suffered a relapse of his torn hamstring and he will be sidelined for a further month. Turkish utility player Hamit Altintop is also currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Although the three injuries are an inconvenience to Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, the depth of the Real Madrid squad means he should be able to cover for the absences of two key players without too many problems. Gonzalo Higuain, who has scored 14 goals in the BBVA Primera Liga this season, will replace Benzema in the starting 11 away to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, while Jose Callejon or Kaka will continue to provide cover for De Maria. Mourinho will almost certainly call B-team striker Joselu into his squad for Sunday's game where Madrid could temporarily open up a 13 point lead over FC Barcelona at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga table.