EDEN HAZARD could play his first game this season having been named in the Real Madrid squad to face Real Valladolid on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old has been left out of the LaLiga champions’ opening two matchday squads due to an ankle injury.
Real Madrid have named Eden Hazard in their squad to face Real Valladolid on WednesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
There were even claims that he returned to pre-season training overweight, leaving Real ‘concerned’ by his condition.
And after those reports emerged, Hazard was snapped knuckling down in the gym in his bid to drop a few pounds.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Real Valladolid, Real boss Zinedine Zidane defended the winger as he stated he is close to returning to action.
He said: “I think he’s very close to a return. He is prepared and training well with the team.
“The issue is that he hasn’t been able to train much until now, but now he is back training regularly.
“So, we’ll see what happens. What he wants is to play.
“He had a big problem that caused him issues for a long time, but now it seems like he is fine.
“The season is very long and he is a professional. He does not lack professionalism.
“What he wants is to be with his team-mates and to play.”
Real were left fuming with Belgium earlier this month after they called Hazard up to feature in their Nations League clashes against Denmark and Iceland.
And Hazard didn’t play a single minute in either of those games as he wasn’t fully match fit.
Eden Hazard steps up training after angering Real Madrid by returning from summer break overweight
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
