Real Madrid Return To Training Without Rafael Van Der Vaart

Real Madrid returned to training this Monday without Rafael Van der Vaart, the wantaway Dutchman-turned midfield maestro.

The attacking midfielder was absent from training after aggravating an old injury in Sunday's match against Osasuna, a knock that saw him train separately for most of the week, but still enter the squad list. Van der Vaart started the match, which ended goalless at the Reyno de Navarra.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy also trained indoors today, along with goalkeepers Jerzy Dudek and Adan, while both Pepe and Mahamadou Diarra were absent from training, the former with a season-ending knee injury and the latter away training with Mali ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

After spending over two months out with injury, Guti made his return to the pitch today, partaking in some light jogging. Youngster Marcos Tebar was also called up from the youth team by coach Manuel Pellegrini to train with the first team.