TEAM NEWS: Ronaldo returns from suspension for Real Madrid as they host Valencia in Copa del Rey

15 Jan 2013 19:03:00

The Portugal international was banned for the club's disappointing draw against Osasuna at the weekend, but comes straight back into the starting XI for this evening's cup tie

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the Real Madrid side to face Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg tonight, after completing his domestic one-match ban.

Coach Jose Mourinho makes a number of changes to the side that fired blanks in the 0-0 Liga draw with Osasuna on Saturday, as Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil replace Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon.

Spain captain Iker Casillas continues in goal in place of Antonio Adan, while Ricardo Carvalho and Raul Albiol start at centre-back in the absence of the suspended Sergio Ramos and the injured Pepe.

Left-back Marcelo makes his first start since suffering a foot injury two months ago, while Michael Essien is preferred at right-back over Alvaro Arbeloa.

Los Che, meanwhile, are without their captain David Albelda after he picked up a calf injury during Saturday's 2-0 win over Sevilla. He is replaced in central midfield by Tino Costa.

Ernesto Valverde must also deal with the loss of Sofiane Feghouli, with the midfielder having joined up with the Algeria squad for the impending Africa Cup of Nations.

Roberto Soldado leads the away side in attack, having scored eight goals in his last eight matches for the club.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Essien, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Modric, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Subs: Adan, Varane, Coentrao, Arbeloa, Higuain, Callejon, Di Maria

Valencia (4-2-3-1): Guaita; Pereira, Rami, Ruiz, Guardado; Banega, T. Costa; Piatti, Parejo, Jonas; Soldado

Subs: Diego Alves, R. Costa, Cissokho, Gago, Barragan, Viera, Valdez