Mesut Ozil has not been included in the Real Madrid starting lineup for this morning's home encounter against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Angel di Maria and Isco have been preferred in the attacking midfield roles to the German international, who has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu of late.

Elsewhere, Karim Benzema will play as a lone centre-forward, while Cristiano Ronaldo has also been included in the first XI.

Meanwhile, Manchester United transfer target Ander Herrera has only been named on the bench for visiting Bilbao.

Madrid: Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Khedira, Modric, Isco; Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema

Bilbao: Iago; Iraola, Balenziaga, Laporte, Gurpegi; Susaeta, Benat, Iturraspe, Rico; Aduriz, Muniain

Written by
Liam Apicella