Real Madrid defender David Alaba could make his return from injury when the team face Sevilla in La Liga at the weekend, having missed the last three games.
Alaba was forced off in the first half of Madrid's win over Las Palmas last month with groin trouble and has been missing for the subsequent league clashes with Girona and Osasuna, as well as the Champions League group match against Union Berlin.
The injury obviously also stopped the 31-year-old adding to his 103 Austria caps during this month's international break for Euro 2024 qualifiers.
But Madrid received a boost to start the week when Alaba rejoined team training on Monday. The Athletic reported that he completed the session and is in contention for Saturday's trip to Sevilla, with up to four more sessions before then allowing him to build his fitness. He should then also be fit to play against Barcelona in El Clasico on October 28.
Prior to his injury, Alaba had played every minute of Madrid's season at the heart of defence.
Although Carlo Ancelotti's team scored seven La Liga goals without reply over two games while he was out, Alaba's return to fitness is a welcome boost. The long-term loss of Eder Militao remains a major blow, while Nacho’s suspension on top of Alaba not playing meant that midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni had to fill in as an emergency centre-back in the Osasuna game.
Club captain Nacho was issued a three-game ban for his red card against Girona, but has since seen that suspension reduced to two games. It means he remains ineligible to face Sevilla this coming weekend, but will be available to face Barcelona.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Real Madrid receive David Alaba boost ahead of El Clasico.