Real Madrid veteran back in training ahead of cup tie; five academy talents called up | OneFootball

Real Madrid have been hurt by numerous injury problems in recent weeks, especially in the defensive department.

The Merengues continue to be without a natural senior right-back at the moment, while Eder Militao, their most important centre-back, has also been sidelined and will not return for a few months.

Antonio Rudiger has also been dealing with discomfort, but pushed himself to play against Alaves over the weekend, although he is not training today ahead of the team’s Copa del Rey opener vs CF Talavera, along with Kylian Mbappe, Fede Valverde, and Dani Ceballos.

David Alaba back

But there is some positive news for Real Madrid as David Alaba has resumed group training, confirms journalist Melchor Ruiz of COPE.

The veteran defender has only played four times in all competitions this season, with injuries constantly troubling him.

Alaba’s last appearance for Real Madrid came in October against Getafe, following which he has gone on to miss 11 matches in all competitions due to a calf issue.

Alaba back in training. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

But, the Austrian international, who appears set to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, resumed training today and might be available for the trip to face Talavera.

Five youngsters called up

Meanwhile, given the number of absences in the first-team squad, manager Xabi Alonso once again turned to the Castilla setup to call up several young prospects to training.

As many as five exciting talents from Castilla trained with the senior setup today, with Joan Martinez, Jorge Cestero, Victor Valdepenas, and David Jimenez being joined by Thiago Pitarch.

As reported earlier in the week, there is a strong chance that Jimenez could become the second academy prospect to make his first-team debut under Xabi Alonso after Valdepenas, whose maiden appearance came vs Alaves over the weekend.