Big boost: Injured Real Madrid star enters final stage of recovery; starts training with the ball | OneFootball

Eder Militao has taken another step towards returning to the Real Madrid squad after finally getting back to work with the ball.

As reported by Diego Mengual, the Brazilian centre-back took part in ball work at Real Madrid City on Thursday as his rehabilitation from a serious injury moved into its final phase. 

As such, he remains some way from competitive action, but the latest development gives Jose Mourinho and his staff some idea of when they could have him back.

Notably, Militao has not played since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg against Alaves in April.

Militao moves closer after months on the sidelines

The Brazilian’s recovery has taken several months, with the focus now shifting towards football-specific work rather than just rebuilding his fitness.

Real Madrid’s latest training session also included recovery work for the players who started the 2-1 win over Elche. 

The rest of the squad worked through pressing, possession and ball-circulation exercises before moving into tactical drills and small-sided games.

Meanwhile, Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo followed individual recovery programmes.

For Militao, though, the key detail was the ball at his feet, as it marks another stage in a rehabilitation process that has kept one of Mourinho’s centre-back options unavailable since the end of last season.

Real Madrid have a target for Militao’s return

For now, Real Madrid’s immediate priority is the derby against Atletico Madrid.

Eder Militao will return after the international break. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Mourinho’s side travel to the Metropolitano to face Atletico on Matchday 7, but Militao will not be ready for that fixture. His recovery is instead being timed around the upcoming international break.

As reported before, Real Madrid currently expect the Brazilian to return after the break if he continues progressing without setbacks.

The international window runs from the end of September into the first week of October, putting a potential comeback around mid-October.

That would give Mourinho another option in central defence at a useful point in the season. More importantly, Militao’s return would come after a long rehabilitation.