When will Luka Modric return for Real Madrid?
The midfielder trained normally and is targeting a return for the match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Luka Modric is back sooner than expected after picking up a hip injury on international duty with Croatia. After undergoing tests, Real Madrid expected the midfielder to be out for the two games against Osasuna and Shakhtar Donetsk, setting his return date for the night of 8 October against Getafe. But Modric has made an almost miraculous recovery and on Monday he trained with the rest of his team-mates in the Spanish capital. It remains to be seen if he will feature for Los Blancos against Shakhtar on Wednesday.
Vázquez returns
Lucas Vázquez is also back for Los Blancos. The Galician suffered a right thigh muscle injury in the league match against Mallorca. The versatile right-sided player could also appear against Shakhtar in the Champions League on Wednesday. As a result, Carlo Ancelotti would have a backup option for Dani Carvajal.
Courtois out for Madrid
Thibaut Courtois remains out but he is expected to be back for El Clásico on Sunday 16 October. In this morning’s session, he didn’t train, but worked with the physios and doctors on his recovery. This gives a rare opportunity to second-choice netminder Andriy Lunin, who was in the starting line-up against Osasuna on Sunday and, barring an apparent miracle, will also be in the starting line-up against Shakhtar.
🟢 ⚪
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 3, 2022
⚽#RMCity pic.twitter.com/lqaPegk4jL