Casemiro: Real Madrid man pushing to be back for derby

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is pushing hard to complete his recovery in time for Los Blancos' capital clash with Atlético Madrid on 19 November.

The 24-year-old has been on the sidelines since suffering a fractured fibula in Real's 2-0 LaLiga victory away to Espanyol in mid-September.

Midfielder determined to make Calderón visit

Club doctors had earmarked a return against Sporting Gijón at the Bernabéu a week after the Madrid derby - or at home to Cultural Leonesa four days later - with a view to regaining match fitness ahead of El Clásico at Barcelona on 3 December.

But Casemiro is desperate to be ready for the European champions' crunch league game at the Vicente Calderón a week on Saturday.

Recovery progressing well

On Thursday, he was able to do work out on the training pitch for the second day in a row, having already responded well with ball at feet on Wednesday.

And following the session at Madrid's Valdebebas base, he tweeted: "Great to feel the ball again and smell the turf. Out to get back as soon as possible! Hala Madrid!"

Zidane won't chance it with Casemiro's fitness

With fellow midfield man Toni Kroos ruled out this week with a broken bone in his foot, Casemiro's positive progress is a boost to Real head coach Zinedine Zidane.

However, the Frenchman will take no risks with the former Sao Paulo player's comeback, and won't include him in his squad to face Atleti if he isn't at 100%.