Bravo out for season

Real Madrid defender Raul Bravo has been ruled out for the remainder of the Spanish season with a hamstring injury.

The Spanish international, who had a loan spell at Leeds United last year, sustained the injury in last week's 3-2 home defeat by Real Mallorca.

Bravo is expected to be out of action for around two weeks meaning he will miss Real's final two league outings against Murcia and Real Sociedad.

The defender's absence leaves Real boss Carlos Queiroz with a selection headache for the trip to Murcia as Roberto Carlos is already missing from the clash through suspension.

The Portuguese tactician looks likely to use youngster Alvaro Mejia in the left-back slot, but could also press Santiago Solari into action in the role.

However, there was better news of England skipper David Beckham who is expected to start the game despite not having trained so far this week due to a back complaint.