Real Madrid injury update: Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane return to training
By Ben Sundock
![MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Lucas Vazquez (L) and Raphael Varane of Real Madrid in action during a training session at Valdebebas training ground on October 25, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Lucas Vazquez (L) and Raphael Varane of Real Madrid in action during a training session at Valdebebas training ground on October 25, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0a75558f8493025c230eaa694528108c1b210e4364129e415748d24b3d1e9a5d.jpg)
Real Madrid received some good news this week with the return of Gareth Bale to training along with Raphael Varane who missed the loss at Tottenham Wednesday due to an abductor injury. Here are the details.
Yay! Gareth Bale is finally back in training after missing just over a month with a hamstring pull. The Welsh Dragon return to the Ciudad de Real Madrid Friday to train with his team ahead of this weekend’s clash with Las Palmas in La Liga.
Bale was able to complete all the drills an looked good shooting the ball. He is confident that he can make a return Sunday, but it is unlikely he makes the start as a precaution.
The good news for Zinedine Zidane and his team is that Bale should be back in the lineup and near 100% by the time the Madrid Derby comes around following the international break on November 18th.
Zizou will get a better idea for the level of Bale’s fitness in tomorrow’s training session before deciding if he will be included in the squad at home.
A statement released from the club today recapped the training session.
"“The team have completed another training session at Real Madrid City as they continue preparations for this weekend’s clash with UD Las Palmas (Sunday, 8:45pm CET). The biggest news was the return of Gareth Bale, who completed the full session with the rest of his teammates. Varane and Carvajal also joined in the first half with the group, before the right-back went on to complete a series of specific exercises out on the pitch. Navas, Luca and Kovacic continued with their respective recovery programs.”"
Rafa Varane picked up an injury last weekend in the loss at Girona which forced him out of the game at halftime.
He injured his abductor muscle and while the injury isn’t serious, Zidane is hesitant to bring his star center back, back to the lineup too soon.
Training today ⚽️ #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/LLaE3rHUcy
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) November 2, 2017
While Rafa Varane couldn’t go through the entire training session with his team, he was able to finish the first half before moving inside to work individually with trainers.
The only bad news for Real Madrid is that Keylor Navas remains out with his abductor injury and has requested to not be called up to the Costa Rica national team for the upcoming friendly matches against Spain and Hungary.
Like Bale, Real Madrid are hopeful they can get their first choice goalkeeper back before the match at Atletico Madrid.
Next: Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane’s son, Luca, out indefinitely after shoulder surgery