The Valdebebas training centre looks deserted. The Real Madrid first team are all either in Brazil or on holiday. All except one, that is. The complex opens its doors every day to Jesé.

The serious injury he picked up in March left him without the back end of the league and also without his holidays. While his teammates are either chilling out on the beaches or preparing themselves for their first World Cup matches, the youth academy player is working flat out to get himself back into shape.

The player wants to be declared match-fit as soon as possible so that Ancelotti can count on him. After the first traumatic month that saw him have to return to Germany for emergency surgery after his injury turned infectious, things now seem to be going smoothly for the forward.

Now that Jesé has been able to stick with his specific recovery programme without any more hiccups, it is just only a matter of time. A long time. The player will have to spend all summer working flat out in the gym or lying flat out in the hands of his physios.

The task is much tougher mentally than physically. The Valdebebas corridors echo to the sound of his own footsteps and voice as he works alone, without his teammates. He'll have to get used to it, as after the summer break will come the United States tour and he will once again be all on his lonesome. Tough going for a man used to the noise and bonhomie of the Real Madrid dressing room.