Real Madrid: Odegaard closing in on return from injury
Martin Odegaard looked to have shaken off his calf injury as Real Madrid trained on Thursday. Álvaro Odriozola also appears close to a return.
A smiling Martin Odegaard looked to be firmly on the comeback trail as Real Madrid went through their paces at the LaLiga club’s Valdebebas base on Thursday morning.
Odegaard seemingly nearing return to full fitness
Taking to the training pitch to do individual exercises that included ball work, the Norwegian appeared untroubled by the calf complaint that has seen him miss Madrid’s last four matches.
Eager to take every precaution to ensure the issue does not flare up again, Madrid will not rush Odegaard back into action, but the 21-year-old’s demeanour in training suggested that he is closing in on a return.
Real Madrid man sidelined after international break
The midfielder was ruled out with a strain in his right soleus muscle on 16 October, after a busy international week that saw him start all three of Norway’s games against Serbia, Romania and Northern Ireland.
The injury has forced him to sit out Madrid's defeats to Cádiz and Shakhtar Donetsk, their Clásico victory over arch rivals Barcelona, and this week’s draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Odriozola injury recovery also at advanced stage
Meanwhile, Álvaro Odriozola also appeared to be progressing well in his recovery from injury as he trained individually on Thursday, the right-back completing running drills and working with ball at feet.
Odriozola’s return to availability would be a boost to head coach Zinedine Zidane, who has been without a recognised right-back since Odriozola and Dani Carvajal were both sidelined four weeks ago.
Carvajal was ruled out for around two months after sustaining ankle-ligament damage in training on 2 October, before it was confirmed a day later that Odriozola had suffered a calf strain.
Left-back Ferland Mendy, utility player Nacho Fernández and winger Lucas Vázquez have deputised on the right side of defence in the pair’s absence.