Real Madrid News
Boost for Real Madrid as injured star returns to training ahead of Osasuna encounter
Real Madrid will resume the defence of their La Liga crown after the international break on Sunday when they play hosts to CA Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu.
And ahead of the game, the reigning champions of Spain and Europe have been handed an injury boost as Lucas Vazquez is back in training with the rest of the team, reports journalist Jorge Picon.
The 31-year-old right-back had sustained an injury during Los Blancos’ win against RCD Mallorca a couple of weeks back and had to be taken off after 70 minutes.
Following that, the versatile star, who can play as a winger and a right-back, missed the matches against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League and Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
During the international break, the Spaniard was undergoing his recovery at the club’s Valdebebas training facilities.
But there had been uncertainties over his involvement in the clash against Osasuna. Reports had indicated that Vazquez would likely miss the match against Jagoba Arrasate’s side.
However, as per the latest update, the 31-year-old has joined the rest of his teammates in group training on the eve of the Osasuna encounter, offering a boost to manager Carlo Ancelotti.
It is uncertain if he will be involved on Sunday or not, but his return to training means that Luka Modric is the only player currently injured at Real Madrid.
The veteran star sustained a minor injury while on international duty with Croatia. He is expected to miss two or three matches over the next week, but should be in line to return for El Clasico against Barcelona on October 16.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender takes major step towards comeback; set for return after international break
Real Madrid are finally beginning to see a clear path back for Eder Militao, with the defender now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and increasingly expected to return after the next international break.
Militao has been sidelined since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg during the meeting with Alaves last April.
The injury required surgery, but his recovery has now reached a stage where his return can be discussed in more concrete terms.
Militao steps up rehabilitation at Valdebebas
While Real Madrid completed their preparations for Tuesday night’s trip to Elche, Militao was working separately from the main group at the Valdebebas Training Centre.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian defender carried out specific exercises with the club’s rehabilitation staff and physiotherapists on pitches 1 and 2.
The work represents another step in a recovery process that has kept him away from competitive action for several months.
Mind you, Militao will not be involved against Elche, but the latest signs are considerably more encouraging for what comes next.
Return now expected after international break
The timeline surrounding Militao’s comeback is finally becoming clearer. Provided his recovery continues at its current pace, Real Madrid expect the centre-back to be available to Mourinho once the international break is over.
That break is scheduled to take place from the end of September into the first week of October, meaning Militao could be back by mid-October at the latest.
For a defender who has endured another significant spell on the sidelines, simply having a defined target gives an important moment in his rehabilitation.
Real Madrid still missing players
Militao’s progress is particularly welcome because Real Madrid continue to deal with several absences in the squad.
On that note, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy remain on the injury list and are not expected to return as quickly as Militao.
Both these players are therefore ruled out of the Elche fixture, leaving Mourinho without several established options.
Beyond Elche, though, Militao’s return offers Real Madrid something far more valuable: another experienced defensive option for the demanding weeks ahead.
After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian is now entering the final stretch, and if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could have their defender back in the squad around the middle of October.
