Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane hopes to be fully fit ahead of pre-season training.
The French central defender overtook more senior players such as Pepe to become an important member of the team under previous manager Jose Mourinho.
But the 20-year-old suffered a knee injury playing against Espanyol in May and was forced to have surgery.
He is now back in France and recovering at the training base of his former club Lens.
Speaking to the Ligue 1 club’s website, he said he was on track to be ready for the start of the new campaign in August.
“The objective is to be ready for the games at the start of pre-season between July 10 and 15. I played nearly the whole of last season and I hope to be able to join up with the group as normal. An injury is never welcome, but it is part of a footballer’s life,” he stated.
He described some of the recovery work he is doing on a daily basis, which includes strengthening of the muscles, and specific work on his knees.
Varane, who started his career at Lens, was also keen to thank his previous club for allowing him to train at their facilities, enabling him to recover and be close to his family.
He said: “This club will always have a special place for me. The simple fact of having returned inside its walls makes me happy. I am very devoted to this club, and always follow its results.”
