Big boost for Real Madrid as defensive duo close in on full fitness | OneFootball

While Real Madrid have done well to adjust to the casualties in defence in recent weeks, it is clear that Alvaro Arbeloa will want the injured players to return to his dynamics at the earliest.

For starters, the club are in dire need of the natural right-backs to return. While Dani Carvajal is back in the squad, he has yet to play a major role. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold is recovering from his setback as well.

In central defence, Dean Huijsen appears to have made a complete recovery from his injury and dished out a good show alongside Raul Asencio last night. There is, however, a sense of eagerness for Antonio Rudiger to return and lead the line.

Progress report

Trent is closing in on a return. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Damian Casol provides an update on both the injured stars – Rudiger and Alexander-Arnold – and has confirmed that both players are not far away from a return to the field.

The former Liverpool star, who has been out since early December, trained on the grass today and thus hit another milestone in his journey back into the starting lineup.

He is naturally not yet ready to travel with the team and contribute on the field, and will thus not be a part of the squad travelling to Lisbon midweek for the final UEFA Champions League game before the knockouts.

However, he looks ‘good’ in his recovery and there is a sense of optimism in the club that he will be available very soon, likely in February.

Rudiger, meanwhile, is also progressing well from his injury that has kept him out since the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Atletico Madrid. He too worked on the grass and is expected to be ready to return to the squad in a week.

The return of the defensive duo, needless to say, will go a long way in improving Real Madrid’s squad depth at the back and hand Arbeloa more freedom to rotate and shuffle his options amid the hectic schedule.