Eden Hazard back in Real Madrid training after ankle operation

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 10 May 2022

Eden Hazard returns to Real Madrid training following an ankle operation, as he aims to be available for selection before the end of the season.

Eden Hazard returned to Real Madrid training on Tuesday, as the Belgium international bids to be available for selection before the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

The 31-year-old has been on the sidelines since the end of March, having undergone an operation to remove a metal plate in his right ankle, and it had been thought that he would miss the rest of the season.

However, the Belgium international was back training with his teammates on Tuesday, fuelling suggestions that he could have a role to play for the club before the end of the month.

Hazard has again found it difficult to make his mark for Los Blancos this season, managing just one goal and two assists in 22 appearances in all competitions.

There has been a host of speculation surrounding the attacker's future in recent months, but he still has more than two years left to run on his contract, and according to Marca, the Belgian has 'no intention' of leaving Bernabeu during the upcoming transfer window.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard pictured in March 2022 © Reuters

Since arriving from Chelsea in July 2019, Hazard has represented Los Blancos on just 65 occasions in all competitions, contributing only six goals and 10 assists in the process.

The former Lille youngster has struggled with a number of injury problems during his time in the Spanish capital, and he will again be absent against Levante in La Liga on Thursday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will then travel to Cadiz on May 15 before playing their final league game of the season at home to Real Betis on May 22, and it remains to be seen whether Hazard has a role to play.

Real Madrid will then face Liverpool in the Champions League final on May 28, where Hazard could potentially be a part of the squad if he proves his fitness over the next couple of weeks.

The bulk of the Belgian's outings this season have come in La Liga, where he has featured on 17 occasions, providing just a single assist in the process.

Real Madrid's Eden Hazard shoots at goal, September 28, 2021 © Reuters

Hazard has only played three times in the Champions League this season, meanwhile, starting against Sheriff Tiraspol at the end of September before featuring off the bench against Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage and last-16 first leg respectively.

Ancelotti shuffled his pack for the Madrid derby with Atletico Madrid last weekend, which came after the team's Champions League semi-final success over Manchester City.

The Italian will now be looking to manage his squad over the next couple of weeks, with the Spanish champions facing Levante, Cadiz and Real Betis before taking on Liverpool at the end of the month.

Marcelo, Dani Ceballos, Isco, Gareth Bale and David Alaba were all absent against Atletico at the weekend and remain doubts for the team's next match on Thursday night, but the likes of Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema should be back in the side after being rested at Wanda Metropolitano.