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MADRID, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will return to action when his side entertains recently promoted Osasuna in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday.
Ronaldo has been sidelined after suffering a knee injury in the European Championship final this summer, but speaking to the press on Friday, Zidane said he would play.
"I am happy he is back with us, I have not reached any agreement over the amount of time he will play. He is back from his injury and we are all happy, although he have to give him time, but he will be back tomorrow and he will play," commented the coach.
Karim Benzema has also recovered from a back problem, but Zidane was less clear whether or not the Frenchman would play, saying "Karim will be with us tomorrow (Saturday) and that is important, but you will see the line up tomorrow."
Players who will miss out, however are left back Marcelo and defensive midfielder, Casimiro, who have been on World Cup duty, meaning Nacho Fernandez could get a chance at left back, meanwhile Isco and Fabio Coentrao are also putting the finishing touches to their recoveries from injury.
Zidane said he had enough players to cover the absentees and hinted that he could consider changing the system to cover from Casimiro's absence.
"Osasuna are going to try and play their game and we have to be ready for them. I don't think it will be an easy game for us at all," he said.
The coach was also asked about the decision confirmed by FIFA to ratify the transfer ban imposed on Real and Atletico Madrid for irregularities involving foreign players in their youth system, including his own sons.
"I don't understand it, it's totally unfair," he said, explaining that his sons had "lived all of their lives here in Madrid and It's absurd that now they can't play."
