Jese Rodriguez’ injury nightmare is nearing and end after he took part in first team training for the first time in eight months on Friday.
The young forward impressed many in Spain and across Europe last season when he filled in for Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema in the front three in the Real Madrid team. He netted five goals and assisted four in 23 appearances in total, and was being tipped for a call up to the Spanish national side for the World Cup in Brazil.
But his season was cut short in March when he picked up a cruciate ligament injury in the second minute of Los Blancos’ Champions League tie with Schalke at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has spent the past eight months working on his recovery away from the squad, mainly in the gym and the swimming pool.
On Friday, he took part in the first 15 minutes of training with the rest of the squad before continuing his fitness work. With a two-week break coming up now for international fixtures, he could be ready for a return against Eibar when the Champions League holders return to action.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke about Jese at his press conference, revealing his is close to a return.
“Jese has begun a new phase of recovery. He will gradually begin to do some technical work but he will start with some non-contact work in his first week,” he stated.
