Real Madrid 'handed Karim Benzema fitness boost'

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will reportedly be fit for next weekend's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo.

The France international missed out against Barcelona in the league on March 20 due to a calf problem which he suffered against Mallorca six days earlier.

Los Blancos suffered a 4-0 defeat in El Clasico, but they remain nine points clear of second-placed Sevilla at the top of the table ahead of the next set of fixtures.

Benzema would allegedly have played against Barcelona had the two teams been closer in the league table, with the calf injury believed to be a minor issue.

According to Marca, the 34-year-old will be fit for the La Liga contest with Celta on April 2, which comes four days before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.

Benzema, who is not with the France squad due to his injury problem, has scored 32 goals and registered 13 assists in 34 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's side during the 2021-22 campaign.