Varane, Coentrao back in Madrid training

18 September 2013 13:01

Real Madrid defenders Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao stepped up their recuperation from injury as they began training with the rest of the squad, the club announced on Wednesday.

Varane hasn't been involved in first-team action since suffering a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee that required surgery back in May.

The 20-year-old French international's recovery has taken a lot longer than the original four to six weeks anticipated by the club's medical staff, but he could now feature before the end of the month.

Coentrao, meanwhile, also hasn't played for Madrid under new coach Carlo Ancelotti after asking to leave the club before the end of the transfer window earlier this month.

A move for the 25-year-old never materialised and he then picked up a thigh injury when on international duty with Portugal last week.

However, Coentrao could now start against Getafe on Saturday as Marcelo is also currently sidelined with a muscular problem.

Gareth Bale also took an active part in the session on Wednesday after making his Champions League debut for Real in the 6-1 thrashing of Galatasaray on Tuesday night.

The Welshman was introduced as a substitute by Ancelotti with half an hour to play and he made a significant contribution as it was from his free-kick that Cristiano Ronaldo smashed home his second and Madrid's fourth of the evening before the Portuguese went onto complete his 23rd career hat-trick.

Source: AFP