Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Real Madrid's Sami Khedira on brink of return from injury

Sami Khedira has returned to training with Real Madrid and could play in Saturday's La Liga match at Athletic Bilbao.

Germany international Khedira has been troubled by a string of injuries over the last 18 months, the most recently a hamstring problem suffered in Los Blancos' 4-0 humbling at Atletico Madrid on Feb. 7.

News of the 27-year-old World Cup winner's impending comeback will be welcomed by Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently short of midfield resources with Luka Modric and James Rodriguez still sidelined through injury.

It was revealed in a club statement which also suggested that first teamers Pepe, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal and Karim Benzema had picked up minor knocks that could make them doubts for Saturday.

"Madrid began preparations ahead of this Saturday's game against Athletic at the San Mames stadium," the statement said. "Khedira joined up with the group for the first session of the week, in which Ancelotti was joined by [Martin] Odegaard, [Aleix] Febas and [Philipp] Lienhart.

"[Sergio] Ramos and James continue to recover. Pepe, Marcelo, Carvajal and Benzema worked in the indoor facilities."

Modric is also close to fitness, with Ancelotti having suggested that the Croatia international could make his first appearance since November in next week's Champions League game at home to Schalke -- a tie in which Madrid have a 2-0 first-leg advantage.

Midfield is an area of concern for Blancos fans and pundits, with 14 million-euro January signing Lucas Silva having started the last three games without making a big impact.

Ancelotti also appears not to have full faith in backup Asier Illarramendi, who has been unable to hold down a regular starting spot despite the injuries to Modric and Khedira, as well as 80 million-euro galactico James.

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