Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has made huge progress in his recovery from a recent thigh injury that was set to keep him out for three weeks.
The initial prognosis saw Mbappe ruled out until after the October international break at the earliest, after he suffered the problem during their 3-2 win over Alaves last week.
That would have ruled the 25-year-old out of Real Madrid's Champions League trip to Lille on Wednesday, and the following La Liga fixture against Villarreal at the weekend.
Mbappe sat out an ill-tempered Madrid derby on Sunday, as Los Blancos surrendered a lead late on to draw 1-1 with city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Mbappe back ahead of schedule?
© Imago
While it was confirmed that Mbappe was set to miss Real's next two matches, and the upcoming international break, manager Carlo Ancelotti has sprung a surprise by naming the striker in the squad that will travel to Lille.
Mbappe remains doubtful, but his inclusion in the 21-strong party suggests that he could have a part to play at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
With Kylian's brother Ethan Mbappe now playing for Lille, the occasion was set to be huge for the Mbappe family, until the news that the elder of the two had been struck down with injury.
That could have a part to play in Mbappe speeding up his recovery time in the hope of returning home to play in France, but it does pose a risk given the hectic schedule Real have for the rest of the year.
This news will not be what those at Lille were hoping for, as Mbappe was often the scourge of Les Dogues during his time in French football.
While at Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe contributed to 18 goals in just 14 career appearances against Lille, and his seemingly rapid recovery could see him add to that on Wednesday.
Mbappe in, Courtois out for Real Madrid
© Imago
The return of Mbappe is good news, but Real have suffered a setback with Thibaut Courtois not named in the squad list for the Lille encounter.
Ancelotti confirmed that Courtois suffered a muscle injury at the Metropolitano at the weekend and would undergo tests to see how serious the problem is.
The goalkeeper's absence from the squad confirms it is slightly more serious than first hoped, but it should not be a lengthy period of time that he is out for, with the club hopeful he will be ready after the international break.
That will mean Andriy Lunin is set for a first start of the season, and after impressing in Courtois's absence last season, he will be looking to rebuild his confidence after being dropped by Ukraine during Euro 2024 for a disappointing performance in their 3-0 loss to Romania.
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