Toni Kroos is back. Real Madrid can once again call upon their German midfield maestro in their midweek Champions League meeting with Sheriff.
Kroos last appeared for Los Blancos on May 9, 141 days ago, against Sevilla in LaLiga Santander. Although he travelled with the squad for the subsequent game against Granada, he was unable to play after being identified as a close contact of a positive COVID case. He then tested positive himself and missed out against Athletic Club and Villarreal.
He returned to Real Madrid's training camp on July 23 after the European Championship, but just two weeks later he stepped away from the first team with a reported sore throat. He then missed 55 days.
Troubled since March
Kroos spoke to Goal and opened up about the tough time he has had.
"It's lasted a little longer [than expected]," Kroos said. "But I played with pain for six months, or not in pain but by taking pills and feeling pain between matches.
"The discomfort started in March and I knew it was something. I knew that if I kept playing it'd reach the point of not being able to anymore, but with the Champions League and the European Championship it was difficult.
"When I got back to Madrid I tried, but I realised it hadn't improved and had to stop."
This injury absence is the longest Kroos has had in his time at Real Madrid, with the midfield known for playing an incredible number of games consistently in his previous seasons at the club.
Now, though, Carlo Ancelotti can call on Kroos again for the first time since returning to the club.
Real Madrid squad list to face Sheriff
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Luis Lopez.
Defenders: Militao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho and Miguel.
Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Lucas, Isco, Camavinga and Blanco.
Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Jovic, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Mariano.