13:43h CET

Both Sergio Ramos and Isco will miss Saturday's crunch clash for Real Madrid against Valencia, not the news Zinedine Zidane was looking for as pressure mounts on the club to turn round a poor season.

Isco left the final training session early due to a problem with his left hip while Ramos was diagnosed with a strain with an oedema in the soleus muscle of his left calf. The captain had only just returned to action in the Copa del Rey second leg after three weeks out. Other players unavailable for selection this weekend are Ceballos and Vallejo.

Full screen Sergio Ramos at training today. PEPE ANDRES (DIARIO AS)

Positive mood despite current situation

In football misery doesn't last forever, and Real Madrid are clearly getting over the funk caused by the Pepinazo, the defeat in the Copa del Rey to Leganés (known as the Pepineros, the cucumber growers, making the defeat to them in Spanish a 'Pepinazo' or a 'cucumbering').

Real Madrid players happier

At training today the players were in a far better mood, with laughter and jokes in the piggy-in-the-middle passing exercises, an entirely different scene to the long faces during the session on Thursday morning after the Copa debacle.

Full screen Marcelo in the middle. PEPE ANDRES (DIARIO AS)

Ronaldo spurring on his teammates

Cristiano Ronaldo, who called on Real Madrid to keep their heads up on social media on Thursday, was one of those most clearly trying to ensure high spirits. "The grasscutter!" he roared at Modric, when the Croatian went in hard and low on him. Carvajal, Lucás Vázquez and Ramos (before being forced to leave) were also spotted indulging in a spot of banter. Group therapy to get back to normal with two weeks to go the vital match against PSG, the only card the team has left to play this season.