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Cristiano Ronaldo is among the Real Madrid stars rested for Thursday's Copa del Rey round-of-16 first leg at Numancia but Gareth Bale travels and could make his first start in any competition since September. Club captain Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are also excused the trip to Soria-based Numancia, who are currently fifth in the second tier. But Blancos coach Zinedine Zidane has included a number of other regular starters including Keylor Navas, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Isco. The news came in a club statement released on the morning of the game. Zidane told the prematch news conference that Bale would play, as the Wales international looks to pick up form and confidence following an injury affected autumn. Others likely to get runs include youngsters Jesus Vallejo, Marcos Llorente, Dani Ceballos and Borja Mayoral. Ronaldo, 32, was also rested through the early rounds of last season's Copa del Rey. The Portugal captain is sure to return for Sunday's La Liga trip to Celta Vigo, although Karim Benzema has been ruled out for around a fortnight with a hamstring injury. First-choice goalkeeper Navas' inclusion for the Copa game has raised interest, given usual back-up Kiko Casilla has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu during the January window, should a reported €20 million move to sign Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga be completed during the January transfer window. Newcastle's Rafa Benitez is reported to be interested in signing Casilla, a player he knows from his short time in charge at the Bernabeu two seasons ago.
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