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Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois will be ready for Clasico

Real Madrid expect goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to be return from injury for Sundays Clasico with Barcelona.

Real Madridmanager Carlo Ancelotti said goalkeeperThibaut Courtoisis expected to return in time for SundaysEl Clasicoclash withBarcelona, while forwardKarim Benzemawill come back into the team for Tuesdays Champions League Group F game withShakhtar Donetsk.

There have been fitness doubts over both key players -- Courtois is struggling with a sciatic nerve problem and Benzema was rested for Saturdays1-0 winatGetafe-- going into the high-profile match, which will see Madrid and Barca face off for the LaLiga lead with both currently level on points at the top of the table.

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Hes much better today, Ancelotti said when asked about Courtois condition in a news conference in Warsaw, where Mondays game with Shakhtar will take place due to the ongoing war inUkraine.

We spoke to him before we left Madrid. Hes feeling better. I think hell start training on Thursday to be ready for the game on Sunday.

Courtois has missed Madrids last three matches, with back-up keeperAndriy Lunin, 23, coming into the team.

Benzema missed a month of actionwith a thigh injury sustained againstCelticon Sept. 6, returning to miss a penalty in a1-1 drawwithOsasunaand failing to score in Madrids2-1 winover Shakhtar at the Bernabeu, before being left out against Getafe.

Karim is fine, Ancelotti said. Tomorrow hell start the game because he has rested like [Toni] Kroos and [Ferland] Mendy. Theyre fresh, and theyll play.

Madrid have won all three of their Champions League group matches so far this season and a victory against Shakhtar would see them secure their place in the round of 16 with two games still to play.

Qualifying is the first objective of the season, Ancelotti said. The earlier the better. Mentally, it can give you more energy for the league. But we have to take into account the fact that Real Madrid cant ever think about not playing a serious game in the Champions League.

If we go through tomorrow, the other two games will be proper games that we want to win.