Real Madrid will attempt to overcome their recent loss to Sevilla and the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo against Valladolid.

With Ronaldo in fine form, Madrid enjoyed a flying start to the season and won each of their opening seven Primera Division and Champions League games, the Portugal international netting nine times in that period.

But after losing Ronaldo to an ankle injury picked up during the European win over Marseille, Madrid saw their 100% record ended in a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in their last game before the international break.

More bad news was to follow as well, with Ronaldo suffering further damage to his ankle after attempting to help Portugal's World Cup qualifying campaign against Hungary last weekend.

Ronaldo lasted just 27 minutes of that game before being substituted and subsequent tests confirmed the world's most expensive player is likely to be out of action for between three to four weeks.

That is a huge blow for Madrid, but Pellegrini admits he can understand why Ronaldo was so keen to try and aid his ailing country's fortunes, saying: "People have talked about Cristiano's injury too much. He was called-up by his national team and, after undergoing medical tests, he felt ready to play.

"I think it's only natural for him to want to play when his team are playing to be in the World Cup. He did what he had to do and we hope he recovers soon."

Although Ronaldo is missing along with Guti, Fernando Gago, Christoph Metzelder and Ruud van Nistelrooy, Pellegrini is able to call on Gonzalo Higuain and Kaka after they returned from international tired but unscathed, while Lassana Diarra and Alvaro Arbeloa are both available after missing the Sevilla game with injuries.

Madrid's defeat to Sevilla means the big-spending capital club are now three points behind arch rivals Barcelona and Pellegrini found himself under the spotlight following the loss in Andalusia, where only superb goalkeeping from Iker Casillas prevented the home side from inflicting a much heavier defeat on their out-of-sorts visitors.

Pellegrini believes that match has been blown about of proportion though, saying: "Lots of things have come out that were not true. It was a tough defeat because we wanted the three points, but we were playing a great opponent and sometimes these things happen. I don't think there's any pressure coming from the club. We know what we're doing."

The former Villarreal coach is also confident the Madrid fans will be fully behind the players tomorrow despite that loss, adding: "I hope we decide the game early on and the fans enjoy it. And even if we don't, the fans will support the team. I think they've always been behind us.

"They've been happy in every home game we've played so far, with the team winning and scoring lots of goals."

Valladolid were somewhat fortunate to escape the drop last season after a dismal end to the campaign and they have found life hard at the start of this term as well.

They have won just one of their opening six matches, leaving Jose Luis Mendilibar's side in 16th spot with just five points in total.

Nevertheless, winger Nauseate Aleman is in confident mood ahead of the trip to the capital, saying: "I believe we can take something positive from the Bernabeu."

Sisi and Antonio Barragan miss out through injury, while Alberto Marcos is suspended and Jonathan Sesma is doubtful.