Ronaldo puts Clasico injury fears to bed

Real Madrid will breathe a little easier ahead of the Clasico after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo resume training on Monday in the build-up to the blockbuster clash with Barcelona. 

The Portugal international was key in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Sporting Gijon, as he netted both goals to ensure the Merengue stay at the top of the table. 

That joy was later tempered by rumours that Ronaldo had ended the clash in physical discomfort, immediately raising alarm bells with el Clasico on the horizon. 

Those reports, however, appear to have been unfounded, as the striker showed no ill-effect from the weekend's game at Valdebebas. 

Ronaldo trained normally in Monday's session, the first since beating Sporting after Madrid enjoyed a day off on Sunday. 

And there was further cheer for Madrid fans as Raphael Varane resumed normal practice after a knee injury kept him on the sidelines. 

Cristiano's fitness against Barca is even more important given the raft of injuries suffered by Madrid so far in the term, which has left the Spanish giants short-handed up front. 

Gareth Bale will undergo surgery on his right ankle on Tuesday and will be out of action until the new year, while Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata are also confirmed absences for the Clasico. 

The Germany and Spain internationals carried out light exercises alongside their team-mates, the first time the pair have trained on the pitch since suffering a fractured toe and hamstring problem respectively. 

Barcelona and Real Madrid cross paths on Saturday at Camp Nou, with the Catalans trailing their arch-rivals by five points after 12 games of the Liga campaign.