Real Madrid hit with injuries ahead of Rayo test

Real Madrid go into Sunday's important local derby at Rayo Vallecano with a number of injury problems that will test the depth of their squad in the important weeks that follow. Jose Mourinho has named two reserve team players, Joselu and Jesus Fernandez, in his squad for the Rayo clash, with Karim Benzema, Lassana Diarra, Angel di Maria, Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop all ruled out. With a 10-point lead to defend over nearest rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga, Madrid must sense the objective of a Spanish title is close. However, French international forward Benzema pulled up in Tuesday's 1-1 draw away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League with a muscular problem and is expected to be out for what Mourinho has described as "some weeks". Di Maria may be out for another four weeks after a setback in his recuperation from a muscular injury that has already seen him sit out the past month. Diarra is suffering from a back injury and Altintop has a calf problem, while his Turkish compatriot Sahin had to pull out of the squad with a virus. Joselu has been called up as replacement for Benzema ahead of team-mate Alvaro Morata, who has also tasted first-team action. The 21-year-old forward scored on his debut last season against Almeria and has featured in the Spanish Cup for the first team this season. Goalkeeper Jesus has been added as a third goalkeeper to the squad. Meanwhile Mourinho warned his team of the potential pitfalls at Rayo, not least the mid-afternoon kick-off. "I've always seen goalkeepers experience difficulties when games are held around 16:00, but these things happen in football," he said. "The pitch is small within the allowed measurements and the grass is in bad shape, but it's isn't horrible."