Madrid has Ramos fit but Hazard out for finale
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos will be fit for a decisive weekend in LaLiga's title race, but Eden Hazard will not play a part, closing out a difficult season for the Belgium star.
Hazard has sustained an injury that will rule him out of Sunday's (AEST) match against Villarreal, after head coach Zinedine Zidane delivered a pre-match injury update at his news conference.
Real Madrid is two points behind leader and city rival Atletico Madrid ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Atleti travels to relegation-threatened Real Valladolid while Real Madrid is at home to seventh-placed Villarreal.
If Atleti is crowned LaLiga champion it means Madrid will end the season without a major trophy, and there has been speculation that Zidane will quit as head coach.
But the presence of Ramos, who has been restricted to 15 top-flight appearances after sustaining a series of injuries this season, will lift the spirits of Madrid as well as giving Spain cause for cheer.
The defender has been out since he suffered a hamstring injury against Chelsea on 6 May (AEST). That had been his first Madrid appearance for seven weeks after a previous absence.
"Yes, tomorrow he will be with us," Zidane said of Ramos. "Then, in the team, you will see him.
"I would always take Sergio [to UEFA Euro 2020 if I was in charge] – always, whatever happens. He is one who always gives everything.
"Hazard has something. Not much, but we don't want to risk. If he doesn't train with the team, it's because something's wrong with him. That's it. So, he won't be there.
"It is a special day; it is the last game of a league with difficulties. We know who we are going to play against, a team that is doing very well. We are going to strive to get the three points."
