Previews: Ronaldo - I will be back soon

"Thank you to all the Madrid fans for the support they have given me during my injury," Ronaldo wrote on the club's website. "I will be back soon."

Ronaldo has not been included in the squad for Saturday's match at home to Racing Santander, and midfielders Lassana Diarra and Guti and striker Ruud van Nistelrooy are out injured.

Defender Sergio Ramos is suspended and centre back Raul Albiol suffered a knee injury in Spain's 5-1 win in Austria on Wednesday and is a doubt. Real have 25 points from 10 matches, one behind leaders Barcelona, who play at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Racing, fourth from bottom, are capable of surprising Real, according to coach Miguel Angel Portugal, who was appointed on Thursday to replace the sacked Juan Carlos Mandia.

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