The fitness of Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has come under the spotlight after the striker was left out of the club's matchday squad today.
Los Blancos face Real Sociedad in La Liga this evening, but Benzema will play no part in the contest, with the club not disclosing the reason for his absence.
The Ballon d'Or winner has missed a combined 13 matches this season with numerous minor injuries, but with the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna to come before their Champions League semi-final first leg with Manchester City, it would be a blow to lose their top scorer at such an important stage of the season.
With no reason given behind the omission, it has been claimed that Carlo Ancelotti is simply resting his talisman in order to keep him fit for the following two games.
Luka Modric is already a huge doubt for both of those crucial encounters and now questions will be raised about Benzema's current condition given the magnitude of the matches ahead.
Modric is facing a race against time to be fit after picking up a thigh injury against Girona last week, as he will also play no part in the clash with Real Sociedad.
Andrew Delaney
