Madrid, Jan 5 (IANS): Real Madrid CF on Saturday wrapped up preparations for its upcoming match against Real Sociedad in a La Liga matchday 18 contest, without the participation of first teams players Gareth Bale, Marcos Llorente, Marco Asensio and Mariano Diaz.

Madrid is set to take on Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday in the second match for Real Madrid in 2019 after their 2-2 tie with Villarreal at the Cerámica stadium, reports Efe news.

Saturday's team practice session was held amid a good atmosphere and smiles between the players during the opening minutes, despite Thursday's draw that left them with a seven-point deficit behind leader Barcelona.

The session continued behind closed doors as Argentine coach Santiago Solari would be forced to seek alternatives for injured players, and Bale espcially, who "has been diagnosed with a grade 1 soleus muscle injury in his left leg," according to the club's statement.

Real Madrid also announced that its Dominican striker Diaz "has been diagnosed with an irritation of the sciatic nerve," adding that both international players' recovery processes would be evaluated.

Llorente and Asensio were absent from the session as well, still recovering from their respective injuries, while Solari called up Team B midfielder Jorge de Frutos to join training.