He is loved and has been missed by all. The Real Madrid squad is a little happier now they have one of their teammates back training alongside them. Happy for him, but also for themselves. Because Luka Modric's long-awaited return seems heaven sent now that 'Los Blancos' are heading into the crucial final stretch of the season.

Thursday is D-day for making the decision as to whether the Croatian player can travel to Bilbao with his teammates for the San Mamés showdown. The plan was for Luka to play next Tuesday against Schalke, a game which represented a good prospect for his return, being played at the Bernabéu, in front of a home crowd, and with the first leg 0-2 already secured. Modric, however, is so keen to get back to business that he could be included on Ancelotti's next squad list.

The Real number 19 has now completed a full week's training in step with his teammates - playing practice games, going in to tackle, passing, shooting - proving that his torn tendon is now nothing but a bad memory. He was given the all-clear from the Sanitas La Moraleja centre last Friday, having passed his final medical.

Ancelotti is chomping at the bit to get his chief playmaker back, badly missed by 'Los Blancos'. While Lucas, Illarramendi and Khedira have all tried to fill the void, none - except the Brazilian newcomer - has been able to establish themselves as a permanent fixture in the team.

No one in the squad is in any doubt about Modric's importance as one of Real Madrid's best players of last season - the most consistent at the very least.