Real Madrid dealt a HUGE blow ahead of El Clasico as Karim Benzema is ruled out with calf injury

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will miss Sunday's El Clasico against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu after suffering a calf injury.

The French striker was absent from Madrid's Saturday training session and is likely to concentrate on getting fit for next month's Champions League quarter-final matches against Chelsea.

The 34-year-old was forced off the pitch after grabbing an assist and two late goals as LaLiga leaders Real defeated Mallorca 3-0 on Monday.

The club said defender Ferland Mendy would miss the next two weeks with a hamstring injury but forward Rodrygo, who also suffered an injury against Mallorca, was in Saturday's training session and should be available for Sunday's game.

French forward Benzema is the top goalscorer in La Liga this year and boasts an impressive record of 22 goals and 11 assists in 25 league games - directly contributing to 33 of Madrid’s 59 league goals.

It's likely that Carlo Ancelotti will turn to Luka Jovic or Mariano after Benzema's injury - however they have just one league goal between them this season.

Real will host bitter rivals Barca with the opportunity to strengthen their hold on the title race.

With 66 points from 28 games, Carlo Ancelotti's side have a 10-point advantage over second-placed Sevilla and are 15 ahead of Barca in third.

With 11 matches to play, they are on a high and have a La Liga-European Cup double in their sights.