Real Madrid news: James, Sergio Ramos, Asensio, Camavinga...
Today's Real Madrid round-up features good news on James Rodríguez and Marco Asensio, Ramos' Clásico record and a young transfer target.
James in frame for Athletic after training again
James Rodríguez is back in contention for Real Madrid selection after training alongside his team-mates for the second day in a row on Friday. The Colombian hasn't played for Madrid for two months, but has now recovered from a knee-ligament injury suffered on international duty and could return to the squad for Los Blancos' final game of the calendar year, against Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabéu on Sunday.
Asensio kicking a ball again after ACL injury
While the Madrid squad prepared for the LaLiga clash with Athletic, injured quartet Marco Asensio (anterior cruciate ligament), Marcelo (calf), Eden Hazard (ankle) and Lucas Vázquez (foot) continued to work on their recoveries at the club's Valdebebas training complex. As he bids to overcome the ACL tear he suffered in July, there was encouraging news of Asensio's progress on Thursday, as footage emerged of the 23-year-old starting to work with ball at feet once more.
Club chief commemorates record-breaker Ramos
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has presented Sergio Ramos with a commemorative shirt after the club captain made a record 43rd appearance in the Clásico. Ramos, 33, is one ahead of Manolo Sanchís, Paco Gento, Xavi Hernández and Lionel Messi in the all-time standings after Wednesday's 0-0 LaLiga draw at the Camp Nou - the first time the fixture has ended goalless since back in 2002.
Madrid monitoring starlet Camavinga
Real Madrid sent scouts to France to run the rule over 17-year-old Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in his side's 3-2 Ligue 1 defeat to Amiens on Wednesday. Rennes have reportedly slapped a 100-million-euro price tag on the France Under-21 international, who has impressed since making his first-team breakthrough at the end of last season.