Coentrao indiscipline unwelcome Real distraction

Stuttering La Liga champions Real Madrid spent much of the first part of the season dealing with reports of dressing room rifts and player discontent and are facing another headache as they prepare for Sunday's game at home to Real Sociedad.

Local media reported that fullback Fabio Coentrao had returned late from the Christmas and New Year break and coach Jose Mourinho had demanded the stiffest possible punishment for his Portuguese compatriot.

A club spokesman declined to confirm the reports but they are the latest distraction for a team that needs to focus all its energy on getting back to winning ways and cutting the yawning 16-point gap to unbeaten leaders Barcelona.

Real are third after 17 matches, seven adrift of second-placed Atletico Madrid, and have already dropped more points than during the whole of their title-winning 2011-12 campaign.

Coentrao's indiscipline adds to Mourinho's selection problems in defence, with Pepe recovering from ankle surgery, fellow centre back Sergio Ramos suspended and fullback Marcelo out injured.

Forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not scoring at anywhere near the same rate as last term and has been linked in the media with a move away from Spain, called for unity on Wednesday and insisted that Real can still catch Barca, who host city rivals Espanyol on Sunday (1800).

"The important thing is to win and be together, both the team and the fans," Ronaldo told a news conference.

"The league is tough, but it is still mathematically possible for us to win and we have to keep the belief until the end," the Portuguese international added. "It will be an uphill struggle."