Alaba could make Madrid return against Las Palmas after year out

LondoncTypeface:> Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed that David Alaba could make his long-awaited return from injury during Sunday’s La Liga game against Las Palmas. The Austria international, 32, has been sidelined for over a year after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament against Villarreal in December 2023. Speaking ahead of the visit of Las Palmas, Ancelotti confirmed that Alaba will not be named in his starting line-up, but will be included in the squad. He said: "Alaba is fine, yesterday he played 40 minutes and felt good. Obviously, the injury has had an impact on his sharpness a bit, but that’s normal. "The knee is responding very well and he’ll be in the squad. He won’t start, but he could have some minutes tomorrow because he’s very close to being back in the team.” Real recovered from a bruising Spanish Super Cup final defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona by beating Celta Vigo 5-2 after extra time in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. (PA Media/dpa)