Zinedine Zidane is set to have Eden Hazard at his disposal once again, with the Real Madrid star recovering from his ankle injury in time for the clash with Celta Vigo on Sunday.
The Belgian limped out of Real’s Champions League group clash with PSG in November after a slow start to life with the Spanish giants.
Hazard has only one goal in 13 appearances this season and admitted he began the season overweight. As he takes to the field again after two months out, the former Chelsea star will be under pressure to impress after his £130 million summer move.
“He’s going to need this week, which will be a long one,” Zidane said. “We’ll see him next weekend, I hope.”
In his absence Real have overhauled Barcelona and distanced their rivals by three points at the top of LaLiga.
However, a firing Hazard would be a huge boost to Zidane’s side ahead of restarting their Champions League campaign against Manchester City.
Hazard was so often the difference for Chelsea in his 352 appearances in England, but is yet to show his devastating sharpness and quick feet in Spain.
He still has a lot to prove to Madrid’s demanding fanbase, but City boss Pep Guardiola believes the star is not the one to blame for his sluggish start.
“If he’s not playing well, something’s going on at Madrid because he is really good,” Guardiola told Spanish YouTuber DjMaRiiO.
“Not a top player, another level above. What we saw in England… he is world class.”
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