Real Madrid superstar could return before expected

Carlo Ancelotti and company deserve immense credit for how well Real Madrid have done this season so far, only losing two games, both at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Such a track record would have been impressive under any circumstance but especially when you consider the club's long list of injury problems.

Real Madrid have had to deal with a number of medium and long-term injuries. Also, take the lack of squad depth into account and the circumstances have been far from ideal.

It is a credit to this team's attitude and mentality that they have continued to find ways to win despite missing so many important players. One of them is Thibaut Courtois.

Courtois suffered an ACL injury before the campaign even started. Many believed that it was a season-ending issue. But now, it appears that the Belgian could be back much earlier than anticipated.

Real Madrid superstar could return before expected

It looks like the Belgian could be back between the posts before the end of the season. As tweeted by El Partidazo de COPE, if all goes well, Courtois will be available for a possible quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League.

The goalkeeping situation at Real Madrid is very interesting right now. Andriy Lunin seems to have placed himself as the number one following an impressive string of performances.

Kepa Arrizabalaga was signed on loan from Chelsea in the summer following Courtois' injury. There was some talk about him being signed permanently earlier in the season but now, it seems like he is destined to return to Stamford Bridge when his temporary spell comes to an end.

Whenever Courtois returns, one would expect him to return straight into the starting XI. Before his ACL injury, he was widely considered as the best goalkeeper in the world.