Real Madrid have been served a boost ahead of their Clasico in over a week’s time after Casemiro returned to training.
Casemiro, 26, has missed Madrid’s last 13 matches after breaking his leg in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Espanyol midway through September and his presence in front of the back four has been missed.
Madrid have only recorded two clean sheets in that time but news of his return to training, particularly after it emerged Gareth Bale would miss the next four months with ankle tendon damage.
“I’m really happy to back training with the squad and I’m close to a return, I just have to get some rhythm back,” Casemiro told the club’s official website after returning to training, via AS.
“I’m really hungry to get back on the pitch and to help my teammates to keep on the track we’re on. It’s been tough, but I’m happy to be back and looking to work hard.”
With Toni Kroos also sidelined for the foreseeable future, the return of Casemiro, particularly with a match against Barcelona looming, is a huge boost for Zinedine Zidane’s men.
Madrid had won all three of the league matches Casemiro had started in before his injury, and while they are still unbeaten in the time nine matches he hasn’t started since, they are conceding 1 goal a game in his absence compared to 0.33 when he was starting.
For more stats on Casemiro, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
