Sami Khedira edging toward fitness

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has revealed that he is making good progress in his return from injury.

The German has been sidelined for the past five months after suffering cruciate ligament damage in November.

Although the 26-year-old is not yet back in full training with the Spanish giants, Khedira says that he is close to resuming first-team duties.

He told AS: "I feel like a football player now, because I'm back on a football pitch. It's like being at home. It feels like I'm nearing the end. I'm close to returning to the team and that gives me motivation to keep fighting.

"The beginning was very hard. The first four or five weeks was the hardest. I was on crutches and couldn't walk. I was very limited.

"In the past few weeks I have been more comfortable with the knee in training. I'm very happy to tread on the grass again and I'll be running outdoors with the ball. I already have more confidence in the knee and I've noticed I feel more secure. I feel good."

Should he recover in time, the midfielder is expected to travel to Brazil with the Germany national team for the World Cup this summer.