Real Madrid youngster making positive progress in recovery from pre-season injury

Real Madrid youngster making positive progress in recovery from pre-season injury Thiago Pitarch was one of the major positives to emerge from a disappointing last season for Real Madrid. The 18-year-old La Fabrica midfield prodigy made his first-team debut under Alvaro Arbeloa and soon became a regular starter, even overtaking an established player like Eduardo Camavinga. Pitarch further enhanced his reputation during the summer, starring for the Spain national team in their U19 European Championship success. However, the youngster was dealt with a cruel setback when he returned to train under new manager Jose Mourinho as he suffered an injury early into pre-season. Making solid progress It has been over five weeks since Pitarch has been out of action, and according to journalist Alvaro Esteban , the Real Madrid midfield prospect is making important progress in his recovery. The teenager had suffered an injury to the medial collateral ligament of his knee which was expected to keep him out of action for six to eight weeks. Now, five-and-a-half weeks into his recovery, the 18-year-old academy graduate has started working with the ball on the training pitch in what is an important step on his road to recovery. Those around Pitarch insist that the youngster is progressing at an adequate pace, although, at the moment, there is still no clarity over when he can make his return to action. Jose Mourinho counting on Pitarch Ever since Mourinho replaced Arbeloa as the new Real Madrid manager, there have been question marks over Pitarch’s future at the club. Mourinho counts on Pitarch. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) However, the Portuguese tactician has made it clear that he counts on the academy prodigy and is waiting for him to return from injury. Indeed, during his press conference earlier today before the game against Malaga, Mourinho commented on Pitarch’s situation, saying : “There isn’t a single Castilla player I don’t like. Thiago has shown he’s no longer fit for the Castilla division. I like him a lot. He’s part of this group of 21 players. “When he’s fit, he’ll be part of the group and will get playing time. I tell him his leg muscles are the same as mine, and he needs to put on a couple of kilos through hard work.”