Duo on road to recovery

Real casualties Ivan Helguera and Pedro Munitis are progressing well from their respective injuries, according to sources close to the club.

Helguera suffered a minor fracture to his right foot after falling awkwardly during Real's Trofeo Bernabeu clash against Inter Milan on August 14. The midfielder had a small screw inserted into the bone of the foot last week to help the fracture mend but he will be out of the side for a period of about two months. Helguera was at the training ground on Tuesday for a medical, and the Spanish international will have the plaster cast removed in favour of a special medical insole that will allow him greater freedom of movement. Helguera will also begin a light exercise programme so as not to lose muscle tone whilst he is out of action. If all goes well, the player should be able to start working out in the club's medical centre on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Pedro Munitis has made a full recovery from his muscular injury and should be back in training on Wednesday.