Real deep enough to cope without injured players

RAFA BENITEZ insists he will not risk aggravating injuries to key men by rushing his Real Madrid stars back, even though some are close to full fitness.

The Spaniard is without Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos, but is happy to wait until they are 100 percent ready to return to action.

Real host promoted Las Palmas in La Liga today and Benitez said he was confident his squad was deep enough to cope without his injured regulars for one more match.

He will, however, be hoping to have some, or all, of them available when Real entertain Paris St Germain in Champions League Group A on Tuesday. Rodriguez has not played since returning from international duty with Colombia with a thigh problem in September, Benzema damaged a hamstring playing for France this month and Ramos is recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Benitez is also without Wales forward Bale, who has a calf injury, and said goalkeeper Keylor Navas would miss the Las Palmas game as a precaution.

“Our priority is to do the best for (Real) Madrid and the players we have,” Benitez said.

“Keylor has muscle fatigue and we are not going to risk him or any of the others who are close to returning.

“We have a lot of matches left and we believe we have the resources to tackle the next game.”

Even a depleted Real should have little trouble dispatching Las Palmas, who are third from bottom and have a new coach in Quique Setien following this month's sacking of Paco Herrera.

“I hope we see a good match, which we can win and which the fans can enjoy,” Benitez said.

“We have to impose our quality, desire and ambition to win,” added the former Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Napoli manager.

“It's going to be a difficult game against a team with a new coach who will try to show his personality.”

Real are joint top on 21 points with Barcelona after nine matches, with the champions playing at Getafe today.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Ross announced yesterday that Real superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, will join him for an exclusive interview – as the Portuguese icon makes his first ever UK chat show appearance.

The interview will air as part of the current series of The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV. Former Manchester United forward Ronaldo will join Ross to speak about his life, family and career ahead of a documentary about his life. – Daily Mail