Real Madrid's Rafa Benitez rules out signing another striker

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has ruled out signing another striker and placed his confidence in Karim Benzema. 

"I'm convinced that Benzema is a great striker, so I have given him a target of 25 goals to motivate him," Benitez said on Saturday. 

"We have Cristiano Ronaldo; Jese Rodriguez has been a great alternative in pre-season and then there's [Borja] Mayoral and the yougner players. 

"At the moment, we are not looking for another No.9." 

Benitez was speaking ahead of Madrid's La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon on Sunday, a match which will see his forwards given plenty of freedom. 

"The position of the players on the pitch will depend on how the game goes," he explained when asked about the positiong of Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. 

"Cristiano starts on the wing and comes inside to be closer to the goal, socring lots. They have total freedom to show their football and their talent."