Real Madrid aim to put their Champions League woes behind them as La Liga continues this weekend. Check out all the latest team news.

* Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has backed coach Bernd Schuster to pull leaders out of the doldrums following their Champions League exit to AS Roma.

"I have confidence in Schuster and I want to continue to have confidence in him," Calderon told radio station Onda Madrid.

Real will be without the suspended Sergio Ramos and injured striker Ruud van Nistelrooy when Espanyol visit on Saturday.

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder returned to the squad after injury.

* Fifth-placed Espanyol will be missing injured playmaker Ivan de la Pena for the trip to the Bernabeu. Spain striker Raul Tamudo, their top scorer, was the surprise inclusion in their squad after returning this week from a broken arm.

* Argentina livewire Lionel Messi, who has torn a thigh muscle, and captain Carles Puyol, who is suspended, will miss second-placed Barcelona's match at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

Mexico defender Rafael Marquez has been ruled out with a foot complaint.

* Third-placed Villarreal, who are seven points adrift of Barca, are without suspended full back Angel Lopez and injured midfielder Cani but are expected to have Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi available.

"A win at the Nou Camp would give us a big morale boost. It would be like winning six points," Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci said.

* Fourth-placed Atletico Madrid have Argentina goalkeeper Leo Franco back in contention for a place after three months out with injury, but he did not make the squad for Saturday.

Their hosts Real Zaragoza, 17th, are led by new coach Manolo Villanova, the fourth person to occupy the post this season.

Zaragoza have Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem back after five months out with a knee injury.

* Getafe coach Michael Laudrup hailed his side's 2-1 win away to Benfica in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-16 tie on Thursday.

"A 2-1 win here is an impressive result even though they were playing with a man less. It's another away win in a spectacular stadium and another achievement for the club's history books," the Dane said.

* Second-bottom Real Murcia host Getafe on Sunday when new coach Javier Clemente will seek to end a run of eight games without a win.

Reuters