Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Eden Hazard is set to return for Real Madrid after three months out injured.
Hazard joined the La Liga giants in an £89million deal from Chelsea over the summer but has been restricted to just 13 appearances in all competitions in his first season at the Bernabeu.
After missing the start of the campaign with a hamstring problem, the 29-year-old has not featured for Los Blancos since the end of November due to an ankle injury.
However, the Belgium international is now back in contention ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Celta Vigo and Real boss Zidane compared his return to the arrival of a new signing.
“We know what he brings to the team, that’s why we signed him, and now is the right time for him to return,” said Zidane ahead of the La Liga clash.
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“I’m very happy that he has returned. After three months out it’s like we have signed a new player.
“We had to be careful with him, give him a little more time and not hurry him back, but he’ll be with us tomorrow [Sunday]. He’s ready to play.”
Zidane’s side are currently top of La Liga after winning their last five league matches and will be looking to restore their three-point lead over Barcelona, who beat Getafe 2-1 on Saturday.
The timing of Hazard’s return is particularly welcome for the Frenchman, with Real set to welcome Manchester City to the Spanish capital in just over a week’s time for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
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It comes shortly after UEFA’s decision to ban the English champions from European club competition for the next two years due to “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play rules.
City plan to appeal the ruling, but Zidane does not think that the sanction will impact Pep Guardiola’s side and is expecting a tough match.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. With respect to the sanction I don’t want to get into that matter. It’s not my job,” he added.
“What I’m going to say to you is to talk about football when we play against them. They are a very competitive team, very strong and this isn’t going to change.”
