Eden Hazard 'ready to return to Real Madrid squad' as £130m Belgian winger overcomes troublesome ankle injury in time for Copa d

Zinedine Zidane is set to be handed a timely boost with Eden Hazard preparing to return to action for Real Madrid.

AS Diario report that the Belgian, who has sat out for 10 weeks following an ankle injury sustained against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, is closing in on a return and he could be in the squad for Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final against Real Sociedad. 

Initial fears were not of a long-term issue but further scans showed a fracture and he has been sidelined since that match in November, only now re-building the strength to integrate back into the side.

He was not fit enough play any part in the Madrid derby at the weekend but is now said to be ready to play a part in helping navigate Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

This is becoming a crucial period for the club with a Champions League double-header with Manchester City fast approaching. Real are also at the business end of the Copa del Rey and they currently sit top of LaLiga while Barcelona flounder.

Hazard was Zidane's marquee signing in the summer but a mix of form and injury has meant he has been unable to hit the projected heights in a white shirt so far.  

He has just one goal and two assists in 13 games for the club since joining from Chelsea and so there will be great expectation that he can now show the form he was producing with such consistency in his final season at Chelsea.

Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad on Thursday at the Santiago Bernabeu while Barcelona travel to Athletic Bilbao on the same night.

Valencia are the defending champions but an Hazard-inspired Real Madrid are looking to end their wait for a title they last won in 2013-14, when they beat Barcelona 2-1.