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Madrid - Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Sergio Ramos will miss the Madrid derby against La Liga champions Atletico on Saturday after suffering injuries in his side's 2-1 win over Sevilla on Wednesday.
Ramos limped off with a hamstring problem after only eight minutes.
Ancelotti is short of defensive options with Portuguese international centre-back Pepe also currently sidelined due to a rib injury.
However, the Italian insisted he is confident that youngsters Raphael Varane and Nacho can handle the challenge posed by Diego Simeone's men.
"Sergio had a hamstring problem, we need to wait a few days to evaluate it. James had a problem in his right foot, I don't know exactly what but it is sure that they won't be available," said Ancelotti.
"I have confidence in the others. Nacho and (Raphael) Varane did very well, I have a lot of confidence in them.
"What we lose above all is experience, but sometimes enthusiasm is a good thing. The two of them (Varane and Nacho) give me a lot of confidence. Ramos and Pepe are among the best defenders in the world, but I am not worried."
Left-back Marcelo is also set to miss the game after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the second-half, but Ancelotti said the club will appeal that decision in the hope he will be cleared to play.
"We will appeal Marcelo's yellow card because for me it wasn't even a foul."
Looking ahead to the game, Ancelotti said: "It will be a very difficult game, but we want to do something different."
"The motivation is so big for this game being a Madrid derby we don't need the motivation of leaving Atletico 10 points behind."
