Real Madrid are reeling from a bit of an injury crisis, but one of the worst hit areas seems to have received a boost ahead of their game against Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos welcome La Real to the Santiago Bernabeu in a match which they cannot afford to drop points, as they look to hold on to their slender one point lead at the top of the La Liga table.
Zinedine Zidane and his men have been dominant for most of the season, but recent results combined with a spate of injuries to some of their key first team players have left them badly wounded.
The likes of Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, Pepe and James Rodriguez are all working their way back to fitness. However there is some good news for Madridistas, as centre-half Rafael Varane returned to training ahead of the game against Real Sociedad.
This will be a big boost for Zidane, especially considering that the defence has been badly hit by injury. Varane would slot right into central defence if he proves himself fit, and would add some stability alongside Sergio Ramos.
The two full-back positions remain an issue though. With both first choice full-backs out, the onus has fallen on the two back-ups, but Danilo and Fabio Coentrao have failed to show much promise. The Brazilian right-back Danilo may still be picked by Zidane, but in all probability Nacho will be chosen over Coentrao at left-back.
The boost to the defence also frees up defensive midfielder Casemiro, who was forced to play as a center-back recently. He will take back his position at the base of the midfield inverted triangle, with Toni Kroos and Isco playing ahead of him.
The loss of Gareth Bale in the attack is a body blow to Los Blancos, but the two other stars of the B.B.C trio are still eager and ready to go. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will look to inflict some serious damage on Sociedad.
They will mostly likely be joined by Lucas Vasquez or Marco Asensio, with both of the young academy products starting to look like world beaters in their own right.
