Real set sights on top spot

Ronaldo is likely to miss the match with a bout of gastroenteritis, the club revealed yesterday. The Brazilian, whose two goals at Valladolid last week rescued Real from defeat and left them two points clear of Valencia at the top of the table, missed Wednesday’s Spanish Cup win over Sevilla with flu and will spend some days resting at home, club sources said.

“Ronaldo has gastroenteritis. His temperature came down a little but he spent the morning in bed,” revealed club doctor Carlos Hernandez. “We will see if he can be ready for Saturday.”

Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo remains in doubt after he went off before the break on Wednesday with a rib injury, but with Argentine midfield star Santiago Solari buoyed by a superb goal against Sevilla, Real appear to have plenty of options in a pack stacked with aces.

Atletico Bilbao, eighth but only a point off Barcelona, host relegation-haunted Murcia, coached by Welshman and former Real Madrid boss John Toshack. Murcia remain five points from safety but Toshack coaxed them to only their second win of the season last week at home to Zaragoza.

Villarreal, level on points with Bilbao, will seek to bolster their own hopes of a top-four finish with three points at Celta Vigo, hovering just above the drop zone. Despite their poor league form which led to the sacking of Miguel Angel Lotina, Celta have reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League and face English giants Arsenal in the last 16.