Real Madrid have been handed a boost by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making a partial return to first-team training.
Courtois has established himself as one of the best stoppers in world football during his career, particularly in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu where he has been since 2018.
A total of 230 appearances have been made in all competitions during a period where he has won two La Liga titles and one Champions League crown, but the Belgium international has been absent for the entirety of this season.
In August, the 31-year-old sustained an ACL injury in his left knee, promptly leading to suggestions that he would miss the whole of 2023-24.
Such has been the severity of the injury that Courtois has already ruled himself out of making a return for Belgium for Euro 2024 in the summer.
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Nevertheless, Real Madrid announced on Thursday that Courtois was in a position to make his first appearance in training for over six months.
Courtois is said to have taken part in a small training exercise with the group, taking the next significant step towards making his return later this year.
However, widespread reports in Spanish media say that Courtois will not be cleared to play a full part in any training sessions until April at the earliest.
Although much work remains ahead for Courtois, it does not necessarily rule him out for the rest of the season at this stage, even with Carlo Ancelotti having Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga at his disposal.
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Both players have made a total of 18 starts for Los Blancos this season, although it is Lunin who has held down the position between the sticks of late.
The Ukraine international has featured on five occasions throughout February, keeping three clean sheets and conceding just two goals, one each against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano respectively.
Meanwhile, loanee Arrizabalaga has not made an appearance since the 3-2 victory over Almeria on January 21, seemingly reducing his chances of remaining at Real in the long term.
While the Spain international has spoken of his desire to stay in his homeland, it appears more likely that he will go back to Chelsea for the final year of his contract should Courtois make a successful return to action.
Darren Plant
