Madrid (AFP)

"I will never take a risk with (the health of) a player," Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said on Friday about a possible premature return of Eden Hazard on the eve of the derby against. Atlético.

"We will see, he is training little by little with us. I have a lot of possibilities, they all want to play this match. But I will never take a risk with (the health of) a player", assured the French coach, in a press conference on the eve of the match counting for the 22nd day of Liga (Saturday, 15:00 GMT).

Hazard participated in his first training on Thursday, two months after his right ankle injury. The 29-year-old Belgian striker, star rookie of the last summer transfer window of the "Merengues", suffers since November 26 from a microfracture, contracted during a contact with his compatriot Thomas Meunier against Paris SG in the Champions League (2-2).

Real Madrid on Thursday shared footage of the Belgian international left winger (105 caps) touching the ball with several of his teammates on the lawn of Real Madrid's training center in Valdebebas, northeast is from Madrid.

Friday, Hazard and Gareth Bale, who had to give up his place on January 22 against Salamanca in the King's Cup, also hit in an ankle, both trained normally with the rest of the group.

Zidane did not wish to comment on the rumors of the Welshman's departure, which the English media are announcing on the side of Tottenham.

"Gareth is with us, I count with him. I do not consider this (starting) possibility," said Zidane.

"I'm not going to tell you if he's going to play the derby or not. But he has to be ready," said Zizou.

Constantly injured, Bale is conspired by some of the Madrid supporters for his casual behavior.

© 2020 AFP