Jese close to return, says Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said young striker Jese Rodriguez is close to completing his recovery following an injury to his cruciate knee ligament earlier in the year.

Jese had begun to earn a regular place in the side prior to his injury and was even being talked of as a possible member of the Spanish World Cup squad for last summer's World Cup, so his return would be an important boost for a side that is already packed with top attacking talent, reports Xinhua.

"He started a new phase of his work," said Ancelotti Friday.

"He will start to do technical work. For the first week he will work alone, without the ball, and then he'll join the others. It's the final stage of his recovery. We are not in a rush. In a month he'll be ready to play," said the Real Madrid coach.

Ancelotti added that German midfielder Sami Khedira, whose season has also been blighted by injury, is also close to a recovery.

"He won't be available Saturday. He will go to play for Germany and get some fitness. It is good for him to play for his country," said the Italian.

Ancelotti also had praise for in-form striker Karim Benzema and midfielder, Isco, who was recalled to the Spanish national team, before welcoming the return of Welsh winger Gareth Bale.

"Bale plays on the right because Cristiano is on the left. Changing him over would mean moving Cristiano as well. James has a different style and Bale likes to play deeper and on the right so that he can shoot better," concluded Ancelotti.