26 Apr 2010 – 16:19:55

Real Madrid’s France international striker Karim Benzema has admitted to being frustrated at a lack of regular starts during his first season with the Spanish giants.

The 22-year-old former Lyon frontman has scored eight times in 28 appearances for Real to date, having started on 17 occasions – only four of which have come since the turn of the year.

Benzema told Marca: “It is always a pleasure to return to the pitch, but it is complicated because I have not been able to put together a good number of matches. I lack continuity.

“Although I am training well, I need minutes to get better. Sometimes I play more, sometimes less – that is a decision for the coach.

“This is a great club and that’s how things are. I have to be ready to play the five, 15 or whatever minutes I am given.”