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Jose Mourinho has ruled out the possibility of Karim Benzema being fit to face Tottenham in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, but will give Cristiano Ronaldo as long as possible to prove his fitness.

Real Madrid are currently struggling with a host of injuries in attack, with Benzema on the sidelines and question marks over the fitness of Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Marcelo.

“Benzema no chance, absolutely no chance, he’s not even training with us,” Mourinho said. “Di Maria is a doubt, Marcelo is a doubt, Cristiano is a doubt. After training I will give the list. After 5pm you will know.”

On Ronaldo’s chances, he added: “I don’t know. We will have to wait a little. After training we will have the list of those players who will play. If I was sure I would be able to tell you.”

Benzema and Ronaldo have both been suffering with hamstring injuries while Marcelo has bruised ribs and Di Maria suffered a knock at the weekend.

Gonzalo Higuain, though, made his return as a 57th-minute substitute in the 1-0 home defeat to Sporting Gijon on Saturday. It was his first appearance for the club since November.

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