TEAM NEWS: Jose Callejon starts for Real Madrid in La Liga clash against Levante

12/11/2012 6:45:00 AM

The 25-year-old makes a rare start for Los Blancos as Jose Mourinho's side travel to Valencia for Spanish Primera Division clash

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has handed a start to Jose Callejon for Sunday night's Spanish Primera Division clash with Levanteon Sunday evening.

The 25-year old has benefited from the absence of Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema who both miss the match through injury. Callejon will likely be deployed on the right-hand side with Cristiano Ronaldo spearheading the Madrid attack as the lone striker.

Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil also make the starting XI and will complete the attacking trio just behind Ronaldo. Michael Essien starts in his preferred position in centre midfield having been employed as a full back at times in the last few weeks.

Fabio Coentrao makes his return from his groin injury and will start the match at left-back, with Alvaro Arbeloa returning to right-back.

Levante welcome back former Liverpool winger Nabil El Zhar into the starting XI this evening after the Moroccan missed three games due to a calf problem. Obafemi Martins begins the match as the sole striker for Juan Ignacio Martinez’s men.

El-Zhar is joined by Juanlu and Jose Barkero in the supporting positions behind Martins in attack.

Levante (4-2-3-1): Munua; Pedro Lopez, Ballesteros, David Navarro, Juanfran; Diop, Iborra; El Zhar, Barkero, Juanlu; Martins

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Essien; Di Maria, Ozil, Callejon; Ronaldo

Subs: Adan, Varane, Nacho, Albiol, Modric, Kaka, Morata