Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has shot down suggestions of rifts within the Real Madrid ranks.

Pellegrini has omitted Kaka from his squad set to clash against Real Valladolid on Sunday, the reason being a thigh injury.

Sources claim that the Real coach is punishing the Brazilian for his lacklustre display against Lyon in the Champions League, but Pellegrini has categorically denied all the rumours.

"He's doing well in terms of goals and assists. He is adapting to a new league and he has my complete respect. He is an example as a person and as a professional, although we know that he can still give more," Pellegrini told Marca.

"My relation with Kaka is good and will continue to be. The substitution [against Lyon] was down to his enormous physical input and we thought that Raul could be a spark in the minutes that remained."

Besides Kaka, rumours of a feud between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain have been leaked to the public, but Pellegrini rubbished such speculation and attacked the press for spreading such information.

"There is no problem at all between either Cristiano or Higuain, or between any of my players. It's easy to post a picture saying that there is, but you must be on the pitch to understand the moment.

"I don't give any importance to what is said on the outside, and there is no problem on the inside between the two - it's not a fight to be the Pichichi [top scorer]."

The Los Blancos coach concluded the press conference by reiterating that his team is trying to put their Champions League disappointment behind them and regroup for La Liga, where a clash against Valladolid awaits.

"The dressing room was deeply affected, particularly in the 24 hours after the game. We missed out on an important chance to continue in the Champions League.

"The squad have now completely recovered and are aware that we are league leaders and that we must continue fighting until the end to win the title. Valladolid will look for anything to get out of the situation they are in. Each one of us must give our best to try and pick up another three points."