A look at Sunday's team news in La Liga, with champions Real Madrid having to do without influential defender Sergio Ramos.

Leaders Real Madrid will be without suspended right back Sergio Ramos for the visit of Real Murcia on Sunday. Miguel Torres is expected to deputise.

Portugal defender Pepe could return to the centre of defence after injury with Argentina's Gabriel Heinze moving out to left back.

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is still recovering from ankle surgery.

* Second-bottom Murcia are without suspended Uruguayan top scorer Ivan Alonso and defender Alvaro Mejia.

Uruguay midfielder Pablo Garcia, on loan from Real, is injured.

* Second-placed Villarreal will travel to Almeria on Sunday without suspended defenders Diego Godin and Joan Capdevila.

Their hosts are without defenders Juanito and Ruben Pulido, who were both sent off against Atletico Madrid last weekend.

* Atletico goalkeeper Leo Franco has a good chance to reclaim the number one jersey from Italian reserve Christian Abbiati away to Valladolid on Sunday.

The Argentina international lost his place due to injury in December and has been on the bench since returning to fitness last month. Abbiati has suffered with a cold during the week.

* Valencia could have striker David Villa and winger Vicente back for Saturday's match at home to Racing Santander.

It is good news for coach Ronald Koeman with the side facing Getafe in the Copa del Rey final next Wednesday.

* Getafe face relegation-threatened Real Zaragoza at home on Sunday and have to pick themselves up from their agonising exit from the UEFA Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.

Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche picked up a muscle injury and joins defender Mario and midfielder Pablo Hernandez on the injury list. Cosmin Contra is suspended.

Reuters