Eder Militao is back in the Real Madrid squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.
The Brazil international has not featured for Los Blancos since damaging his ACL in the team's opening match of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign, which was against Athletic at San Mames.
Militao has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks, though, and he has been able to return for the reverse fixture, handing Real Madrid a major injury boost at a vital stage of the campaign.
Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he is considering handing Militao "minutes" against Athletic with a view to potentially starting him against Manchester City in the Champions League on April 9.
"Militao returns tomorrow, which is the most important news. He is not 100%, because he needs to play football, but he is fine from the injury. It is very good news for us," Ancelotti said during his press conference.
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Militao could start against Man City in the Champions League
"We have to see it game by game. Tomorrow I may give him minutes and we have time until the 9th to improve his condition.
"The knee is fine, he just needs football, and get used to playing on a big field again and with his teammates. He has recovered very well."
When asked whether Militao could partner Antonio Rudiger in the middle of the defence in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Man City, Ancelotti said that "it is not completely ruled out".
"Militao, maybe not, maybe yes. I'm not saying it's 50%, it could be 70% no and 30% yes, but Militao is very important. He helps us with many things. It is not completely ruled out," he added.
"If he is not there, there are not many options. If he is ruled out, will Nacho or [Aurelien] Tchouameni play, the doubt is there."
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Camavinga fit for Real Madrid after injury scare
Real Madrid were expected to be without the services of Eduardo Camavinga against Athletic, with the midfielder limping off while representing France against Chile last week.
Having, the ankle issue that he suffered was only minor, and having been able to train towards the end of last week, he has been named in the squad for Sunday's contest.
"The environment is good. The internationals have recovered well. We had a small problem with Camavinga, but today he trained normally. We have good feelings for tomorrow's game," Ancelotti said.
"We play against a team that is having a great season and plays with great intensity. It has individual and organisational qualities. An important match that we come to with all the confidence in the world."
Dani Ceballos has also been passed fit after recovering from a calf problem, but Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba are out for the season with knee injuries, while Vinicius Junior will not be available against Athletic on Sunday evening due to a one-game suspension.
Real Madrid squad vs. Athletic:
Lunin, Kepa, Fran; Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Vazquez, F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler; Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim
Matt Law
