Rodriguez set for Real return against Granada

Posted on April 4, 2015 by John

James Rodriguez is in line to make a return to the Real Madrid starting eleven on Sunday against Granada having missed the last two months through injury.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are currently trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points and will be looking to quickly return to winning ways following a 2-1 reverse at the hands of their most hated rivals in the recent ‘Clasico’ meeting.

The Colombian international has been missing in action since February after undergoing surgery on a broken foot but began training again last month in a bid to weave himself back into the starting frame.

The absence of Rodriguez has coincided with a bumpy path for Los Blancos despite his replacement Isco having deputised fairly well in his place. Since early February, the Madrid club have clinched four wins, drawn once but have also uncharacteristically succumbed to four defeats.

The return of Rodriguez has meanwhile dampened the news that Pepe will miss his side’s next three games after returning back from international duty with Portugal with a muscle injury. Raphael Varane is his obvious replacement.

The Real hierarchy will also be hoping that Welsh star Gareth Bale would have returned a new man from international duty after driving Wales to an impressive 3-0 win over Israel in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.

The win not only sent Wales to the top of their group but also saw the former Tottenham man back to his best following a recent dry spell in Madrid that has far from impressed the demanding Real supporters.

The moans of frustration seemingly turned to anger in the defeat to Barcelona before the international break when Bale was once again below par and unable to end his nine-match goal drought.

After the win in Tel Aviv, Bale bluntly told reporters that he had “nothing to prove” while influential Real Chairman Florentino Perez quashed rumours linking the player with a move away from the Bernabeu in the summer.

“We shall never listen to any offers for Bale. He is the key to the club’s future, just as I cannot imagine a future without Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Bale suffered a slight knock in the win in Israel but is still expected to play against Granada.

Meanwhile, the Madrid club have already begun preparations for next season after striking a six-year deal worth some €31.5million for Porto’s Brazilian international defender Danilo.