Real Madrid news in brief: Isco, Carvajal, Benzema, Kovacic...
The latest round-up features an Eric Cantona plea to Didier Deschamps, Isco and Luka Modric's return to training, good news for Mateo Kovacic..Champions League Final: Real Madrid - Liverpool
Isco "feeling good" ahead of Atlético
It's fair to say that Isco left Madridista hearts in mouths after hobbling out of the Spain squad at the weekend as a result of a somewhat enthusiastic tackle by Costa Rica's Kendall Watson. However, the midfielder trained as normal with the Real Madrid squad on Wednesday, and looks all set to face Atlético Madrid on Saturday. Indeed, he had taken to social media on Tuesday to declare: "Recovered from Saturday's knock. Feeling good and can't wait for the derby".
Modric reports for derby duty, Kovacic back with the group
Having returned from Croatia duty, a freshly World Cup-bound Luka Modric also rejoined Real Madrid training on Wednesday, as Los Blancos stepped up their preparations for their first ever visit to the Wanda Metropolitano. Meanwhile, Modric's countryman Mateo Kovacic was back with the first-team group as he closes in on a return from an adductor injury, while Keylor Navas - who has also been nursing a groin issue - did individual work.
Carvajal in contention for Atlético
A viral heart infection has kept right-back Dani Carvajal out of action since September's Champions League win away to Borussia Dortmund, but the Spaniard looks to be in the frame for a return to Zinedine Zidane's squad for Saturday's short trip across the Spanish capital, telling Diario Madridista: "I have the medical all-clear to play, so I shouldn't have any problems."
Cantona calls for Karim
Former France star Eric Cantona has urged Les Bleus' head coach, Didier Deschamps, to bring Real Madrid's Karim Benzema out of the international wilderness. "I want the best players in the national team," the Manchester United great told the radio station France Inter this week. "Which is why I want Benzema with France - and I'm not the only one." Benzema won the last of his 81 caps back in August 2015.
On this day...
There have been many red-letter days in the illustrious history of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, but it would seem that 15 November is not one of them. It's not entirely without its tidbits of interest, though: former Real and Germany midfielder Uli Stielike, who won three LaLigas, two Copas del Rey and a UEFA Cup with Los Blancos between 1977 and 1985, was born precisely 63 years ago. Herzlichen Glückwunsch!