Thibaut Courtois could play against Barcelona in El Clásico this weekend, according to Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
“Courtois is much better. The plan is for him to start training on Thursday and be ready for Sunday. We have spoken to him and he is much better,” Ancelotti said on Monday in words transcribed by Marca.
The Belgian netminder has been left out of Ancelotti’s squad for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The former Atlético Madrid shot-stopper has been suffering from pain along the sciatic nerve that has prevented him from playing against Shakhtar in Europe, and Osasuna and Getafe in La Liga.
Karim Benzema has returned to Madrid training after being rested in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Getafe.
Toni Kroos and Ferland Mendy were also rested against Getafe. Courtois and Dani Ceballos will be the only absentees for the Champions League game, in which Madrid can mathematically seal their place in the last 16.
GSFN
