La Liga: Casemiro returns to Real Madrid training after lengthy injury lay-off

Real Madrid midfield anchorman Casemiro has returned to training after over two months out injured, the club said on Wednesday. [caption id=“attachment_3122540” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Casemiro (R). AFP[/caption] The influential Brazilian fractured a bone in his leg in Real’s 2-0 win at Espanyol on 18 September and has not played since. Casemiro made a long-awaited return to full training on Wednesday after Real’s 2-1 win at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday sealed a place in the last 16 of the Champions League and could make his return against Sporting Gijon on Saturday. Real won their opening six games of this season before Casemiro’s injury and drew their first four without him. Casemiro’s return will give Madrid a great boost, after they lost Gareth Bale to an ankle injury during their Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon. The injury hit Real Madrid side needs all the help available in their push for the La Liga title. Striker Alvaro Morata and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos are still injured, while Gareth Bale has had tests to determine the extent of the ankle injury he sustained at Sporting. Real top the Liga standings on 30 points, four clear of nearest challengers Barcelona, who they visit on 3 December.