Real Madrid were hopeful that Karim Benzema will return in Sunday's derby battle with Atletico Madrid, although manager Zinedine Zidane said they will take no risks with their key forward.
The striker has missed Real 's last three games with a groin injury and Zidane is confident the Frenchman can play some role at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Benzema, who has scored 12 goals in La Liga this season, trained on Thursday and Friday before the match, which could prove crucial in the Spanish title race.
"We are not going to risk anything," Zidane said. "If there is a doubt, I don't like it, because you can do more damage and the players that are going to play must always be 100 per cent.
"We know what Karim is. Not just the matter of goals. He is an important player for us in our system and especially when we have the ball.
"He is special. What he does on the field ... For people who like football, Benzema is a joy for football; for me, having him as a coach is a joy.
"He has been here for 10 years and has improved a lot. He is a fundamental player for us, for our team. He is a special player for all football fans, not just Madrid."
Real have been unable to score more than once in any of the last three games without Benzema, despite creating plenty of chances in a 1-1 draw at home to Real Sociedad on Monday.
Their slip against Real Sociedad leaves Madrid five points behind Atletico, having played a game more, meaning defeat this weekend could give Zidane's side too big a gap to close.
But Zidane insisted: "Whatever happens, we will stay alive in La Liga. We are focused on playing a good game and nothing else. If we play well, that is the most important thing for us."
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Gallery: Real 2 Atletico 0
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Sergio Ramos is missing with a knee injury while back-up striker Mariano Diaz is also out with a problem in his pelvis.
Eden Hazard is still unavailable due to a thigh strain, although Zidane insisted there has been no set back in his recovery.
"There is no relapse. We want him to be 100 per cent when he can return," said Zidane. "This is what he is doing, little by little, without haste.
"We know how important he is in our team, but we have to go with how he feels. It is important that, when he returns, he feels strong and 100 per cent."
Atletico will have right back Kieran Trippier back for the first time since January after he completed a ban for violating betting rules in England, and manager Diego Simeone said his return would bring more dynamism to his side.
"He has been training this whole time and as you can imagine for a player who has trained and could not play, he is really looking forward to it," Simeone said.
Read more about the coronavirus
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
More on Quran memorisation:
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
