Pellegrini: Kaka is not faking it

Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini has refuted claims in the Spanish press that Kaka has deliberately prolonged his return from a thigh injury.

The former AC Milan striker has not featured for Real since their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Lyon on the 10 March due to a thigh strain, and has been accused of dragging out his recovery as he was unhappy at the Bernabeu.

Whilst the £68million signing has struggled to re-discover his excellent form with Pellegrini's men, the former Villarreal boss has reacted angrily to the rumours and insists Kaka is committed to Real.

"It is unfair not to believe he has been suffering pain," Pellegrini said.

"What has been said about him doesn't correspond with his professionalism. As soon as he didn't feel any more pain, he has returned to the squad."

Kaka is set to return to the Real squad as they prepare for their final five games of the season. Pellegrini's team are one point behind defending champions Barcelona in the Primera Division standings.

Meanwhile, Pelligrini is confident striker Karim Benzema is "perfectly calm" after hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week.

Benzema has been included in the squad to face Real Zaragoza this weekend amid allegations of off-the-field misdemeanours.

And Pellegrini believes the 22-year-old striker is not allowing himself to be affected by the reports.

"I'm always concerned about problems which could affect my players," said Pellegrini.

"I have spoken to Benzema, he told me he has nothing to do with all this.

"I find him perfectly calm. All this should not affect him on the pitch."