Al-Ittihad coach Marcelo Gallardo insists there's no personal issues with Karim Benzema.

Al-Ittihad management were reportedly furious with Benzema in January - when he was absent from training for over two weeks, and they also failed to get hold of him for a ten-day period.

In the end, however, Benzema remained with Al-Ittihad - but ahead of the upcoming match in the Asian Champions League, he has been left out of the squad.

However, Gallardo insists the decision was made solely on sporting grounds.

"He is currently training alone, after joining the team several days ago," said Gallardo.

"When he is physically and technically ready, he will return to the group. It will probably happen next week."

Benzema has scored twelve goals and provided five assists in 20 competitive games since arriving at Al-Ittihad.

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