The chances of seeing Kaka playing in the colours of Paris Saint-Germain receded slightly further on Friday when Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said the Brazilian still featured in his plans for the rest of the season.
Sources close to PSG owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) have told AFP that the Ligue 1 leaders are lining up a bid for the playmaker, but Mourinho said: "I'm counting on him for the season."
New PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly eager to bring Kaka to Parc des Princes, having enjoyed success with the Brazilian during his tenure as coach of AC Milan.
Mourinho also addressed the competition for places at the tip of the Madrid attack, where Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain continue to scrap over a single starting place.
Both players have been in fine form this season -- with Higuain having netted 12 goals in the league and Benzema eight -- but Mourinho intends to keep faith with his habitual 4-2-3-1 formation.
"I prefer to play with one central striker and wingers who cut inside into the middle," he told reporters at a press conference.
"But I also know that there is a possibility of playing Higuain and Benzema. In any case, in each match, the two of them have given me what I wanted."
The half-time introduction of Benzema to play alongside Higuain turned the tide in Madrid's favour in Tuesday's Copa del Rey last 16 first leg against Malaga, with the Frenchman inspiring his side to fight back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory.
Madrid, who lead La Liga by three points from title rivals Barcelona, resume their league campaign at home to Granada on Saturday.
Sergio Ramos is available to play after tearing a muscle in his left thigh during the 6-2 win at Sevilla last month, but full-backs Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao have been left out of the matchday squad.
Madrid's website said that Arbeloa and Coentrao had been "left out at the coach's behest", while centre-back Pepe (suspended) and Argentine winger Angel di Maria (thigh injury) will also be missing.
Source: AFP
