Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois could both return from long-term knee injuries next month.
Courtois has not made a single appearance for Los Blancos during the 2023-24 campaign, with the club's number one goalkeeper suffering an ACL injury in training ahead of the start of the season.
Militao, meanwhile, also tore his ACL in Real Madrid's first league game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.
Initially, it had been feared that both players would miss the entire season, but the duo have stepped up their recoveries in recent months, and Ancelotti has confirmed that the two individuals are on course to return in April.
Providing that there are no setbacks over the next few weeks, there is a chance that both Militao and Courtois could be available for El Clasico against Barcelona towards the end of next month.
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The duo could also be involved in the latter stages of the Champions League, should Real Madrid progress, with Ancelotti's side currently leading RB Leipzig 1-0 ahead of the second leg of their last-16 clash.
"Taking into account the departures, you have to bear in mind that the squad has never given up despite the difficulties, now comes the good things, we see the return of Militao, Courtois... with this dynamic it could be a very positive season," Ancelotti said during his press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Valencia.
When asked for more detail on the returns of Militao and Courtois, the manager said: "The date has not been set. But we have to take advantage of the international break and then the mini-break for the Copa del Rey.
"At that time they will do some work with the team. After 14 April, after Mallorca, they could be back."
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David Alaba also damaged his ACL towards the end of last year, and the Austria international will not be available for selection until the 2024-25 campaign.
However, Jude Bellingham and Joselu have both recovered from ankle injuries to make the squad for the Valencia match, while Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga are also back following suspensions, which saw them miss last weekend's 1-0 win over Sevilla.
"Carvajal, Camavinga, Joselu, Bellingham are back. The squad is more complete," Ancelotti added.
"He's (Bellingham) 100%, everything he's done and needed to do individually is fine, he's comfortable with his ankle, he's at full strength, he's going to play."
Real Madrid are currently top of the La Liga table, six points clear of second-placed Girona, while they will welcome Leipzig to Bernabeu next week for the second leg of their last-16 Champions League contest.
Matt Law
