Kaka returns for leader Madrid against Sporting

Kaka returns for leader Madrid against Sporting

Published Dec. 2, 2011 5:42 p.m. ET

Spanish league leader Real Madrid says Kaka has recovered from a right calf injury and will be available to play Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

The Brazil playmaker was included in coach Jose Mourinho's squad on Friday after being sidelined for nearly a month. The injury also forced him to miss his return to international duty with Brazil.

Mourinho says Kaka will start on the substitutes' bench but ''my intention is for him to play.''

Defenders Alvaro Arbeloa and Ricardo Carvalho remain sidelined, while midfielder Xabi Alonso misses the trip to El Molinon to serve a suspension.

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Madrid leads defending champion Barcelona by three points in the standings, with the pair set to meet on Dec. 10.

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