Real Madrid hopeful 28-year-old midfield ace will recover in time to face Villarreal – report

Real Madrid hopeful 28-year-old midfield ace will recover in time to face Villarreal – report Real Madrid have reason to be optimistic about Federico Valverde’s recovery, with the midfielder still in contention to return against Villarreal on October 10, reports Bernabeu Digital . The outlet mentions that Valverde remains at Valdebebas during the international break as he works on his rehabilitation following the ankle injury sustained in the Madrid derby . The Uruguay international suffered the problem during Real Madrid’s 1-2 loss against Atletico Madrid.  A heavy challenge from Kang-in Lee left Valverde in discomfort, with the midfielder initially diagnosed with a severe contusion before further examinations revealed a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle. Despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, the recovery timetable means a return before the Villarreal fixture remains possible. Valverde racing to recover during international break Real Madrid are expecting Valverde to require around two to three weeks to recover from the ankle sprain. Valverde was injured against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) The schedule of the international break has therefore worked in the midfielder’s favour.  During this time, Valverde has remained in Madrid and is focusing entirely on his rehabilitation at Valdebebas. On that note, the October 10 meeting with Villarreal is now being targeted as a potential comeback date.  There is still little margin for error, though, as Valverde would only have a short period to prove that he is ready to compete again. Understandably so, the club will not want to rush the midfielder back if there is any risk of aggravating the injury. His recovery will therefore continue to be assessed closely over the coming days. Mourinho could welcome key midfielder back Valverde’s availability would provide a major boost to Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho, given how important the Uruguayan has become to the team’s midfield structure. Valverde could return for the Villarreal clash. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) His ability to cover large areas of the pitch allows him to contribute both defensively and in possession.  Furthermore, he can provide intensity without sacrificing the balance required in midfield, making him particularly valuable in a system that demands significant work away from the ball. That versatility is difficult to replace within the squad. A return against Villarreal would therefore give Mourinho another important option as Real Madrid prepare to resume their La Liga campaign.  Valverde could potentially return without missing an official fixture, although the club will prioritise his complete recovery over meeting a specific comeback date.