Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema resumed training earlier this week and will feature in Saturday’s league game against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Benzema has missed the club’s last six matches due to a strained ligament in his right knee.

The Frenchman resumed training with the first team on Sunday morning but was not included in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s squad which traveled to Turin to take on Juventus earlier this week.

Now, Benzema will likely be named to Real Madrid’s starting eleven against fourth place Valencia on Saturday, after the Frenchman completed today’s training session “pain-free” earlier today.

If not, the striker will undoubtedly be named to the squad and be given a run-out in the second half in order to improve his match rhythm ahead of next week’s crucial Champions League semi-final return leg against Juventus – Real Madrid will enter that contest trailing the Italian champions by a score of 2-1.

But for now the priority for the club is to remain within striking distance of first place Barcelona in La Liga.

Barcelona take on Real Sociedad earlier in the day on Saturday, and if David Moyes’ side should take points off of the league leaders (La Real defeated Barca 1-0 earlier this year), Real Madrid would start their match against Valencia knowing a win would catapult them to the top spot in Spain.

Programming note: Real Madrid vs. Valencia will be shown LIVE on Saturday starting at 2:00pm EST on beIN SPORTS and fuboTV (free 14-day trial).