TEAM NEWS: Callejon replaces suspended Ronaldo as Higuain leads line for Real Madrid at Osasuna

Jan 12, 2013 6:15:00 PM

The reigning Liga champions make do without their top goalscorer for their trip to Pamplona this evening as the Portugal international misses the game through suspension

Jose Mourinho has handed starts to Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon as Real Madrid travel to Osasuna in La Liga.

It has been a case of shuffling the squad this week for the Blancos trainer, with Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antonio Adan all suspended, and Pepe still sidelined through injury.

Iker Casillas replaces Adan in goal after the 25-year-old was sent off in last week's thrilling 4-3 win over Real Sociedad, while Raphael Varane and Raul Albiol start at centre-back in the absence of Ramos and Pepe.

In midfield Xabi Alonso shrugs off a neck injury to start in front of the back four alongside Sami Khedira, while Luka Modric, Angel Di Maria and Callejon support lone forward Higuain in attack.

Mesut Ozil drops to the bench for the capital-based side, where he joins the likes of Karim Benzema and Kaka. Marcelo is also named as a substitute as he continues his comeback from injury.

For Osasuna, Alejandro Arribas returns from suspension to take his place in defence, while new loan signing Miguel de las Cuevas is named among the substitutes.

Osasuna (4-2-3-1): Fernandez; Bertran, Ruben, Arribas, Damia; Lolo, Oier; Cejudo, Nino, Armenteros; Sola

Subs: Ricardo, Flano, Punal, de las Cuevas, Llorente, Timor, Loe

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Albiol, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Modric, Di Maria, Callejon; Higuain

Subs: Jesus, Carvalho, Marcelo, Essien, Ozil, Kaka, Benzema

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