Real Madrid Team News: Morata ruled out of Madrid derby; Ramos returns to the fray

Real Madrid have suffered a huge injury blow as striker Alvaro Morata has been ruled out of the Madrid derby against Atletico.

Table-toppers Real Madrid will be visiting the Vicente Calderon for the final time in the La Liga as they take on their cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid in an intriguing derby tie. Los Rojiblancos have turned the Calderon into somewhat of a fortress against their city rivals as Real have failed to win there since Jose Mourinho’s reign.

An injury to star striker Alvaro Morata is certainly going to make things worse for Real boss Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman has done a decent job in rotating Morata and Karim Benzema to keep both of them match fit, but will be missing the services of his lethal Spaniard.

Morata has suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury and could be out for almost a month, according to reports in Spain. The striker suffered a knock on international duty against Macedonia in the 60th minute of the contest.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Real as Sergio Ramos has recuperated from an injury and will be starting against Atletico. Midfielder Luka Modric has also returned to full fitness and is in contention to start.

But Pepe and Toni Kroos continue to be ruled out, giving Raphael Varane and Isco a chance to make it into the playing eleven. Nacho’s performances on international duty suggest he could be picked over Varane.

For the hosts, front man Antoine Griezmann is a doubt after injuring his foot on international duty with France. However, he is expected to fight it off to play the final Madrid derby at the Vicente Calderon in La Liga. Alessio Cerci and Augusto Fernandez are ruled out of the game.