REAL MADRID
Real Madrid injury update: Alaba, Mendy, Courtois, Benzema...
Real Madrid’s David Alaba looks to be making good progress in his recovery from the hamstring strain he sustained against Chelsea.
Real Madrid trained on Thursday for the first time since their defeat to Girona, with injured defender David Alaba offering encouraging signs as he recovers from a muscle strain.
Alaba closing in on comeback for Copa final, City first leg
Alaba returned to the training pitch to do running exercises alongside fellow injury victim Ferland Mendy. All the indications are that the Austrian will be fit for the Copa del Rey final on 6 May and, most importantly, the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City three days later.
Alaba was expected to miss around two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the quarter-final second leg against Chelsea, so he is set to return on schedule.
Mendy, who is recovering from a calf problem, appears unlikely to be back in time to face Osasuna in Seville or City at the Bernabéu.
Given that Éder Militão is suspended for the first leg of the Champions League last four, Alaba would be likely to partner Antonio Rüdiger in central defence against City, with the pair chiefly tasked with keeping 49-goal striker Erling Haaland at bay.
Courtois, Benzema set to return against Almería
Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois continues his recovery from gastroenteritis, which forced the Belgian to miss Tuesday’s defeat in Girona. It is anticipated that the goalkeeper will return for Saturday’s LaLiga clash with Almería.
Karim Benzema, who sat out the trip to Montilivi with a knock, trained as normal alongside his team-mates on Thursday. Having served a one-match suspension against Girona, Dani Ceballos also returns to availability this weekend.