MADRID – Real Madrid were boosted on Monday by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Keylor Navas from injury ahead of their Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Navas, Real’s goalkeeper in their back-to-back Champions League triumphs in 2016 and 2017, sustained a thigh injury while helping Costa Rica qualify for the World Cup and missed Saturday’s 2-1 win over Getafe.
Navas, however, completed full training for the second consecutive day and is expected to replace Kiko Casilla for the visit of Spurs.
The European champions will still be without Dani Carvajal due to illness, and the injured Gareth Bale and Mateo Kovacic.
Achraf Hakimi, 18, took Carvajal’s place at right back in the league wins over Espanyol and Getafe, although the more experienced Nacho Fernandez is expected to deputise in the position against Tottenham.
Spurs, who warmed up for the game with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, are still without Dele Alli as he serves the final game of a suspension, and Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama through injury.
Ben Davies is doubtful due to illness, as is fellow left back Danny Rose, who has just returned from an eight-month injury layoff.