Real Madrid have been without Casemiro since he suffered an ankle injury during the win at Celta Vigo on November 11, but the Brazilian was back on the training pitch on Friday and is nearing a return.

He worked out on his own and without the ball but could return in time for the final matches of 2018 and for the Club World Cup, for which he has been included in the squad list.

Nacho has also been out with a lengthy injury and he too is improving, although he didn’t take to the field on Friday like the Brazilian midfielder.

In terms of the other injured players, Toni Kroos and Sergio Reguilon worked out in the gym after being unavailable for Thursday’s Melilla game, while Mariano Diaz also stayed inside the installations after suffering an injury in the cup clash.

Los Blancos are currently preparing for Sunday’s LaLiga Santander trip to Huesca, with that match kicking off at 4:15 pm Nigerian time.