Real Madrid have been boosted by the news that Colombian star James Rodriguez has returned to training for the first time since suffering a foot injury almost two months ago.

The 23-year-old has not featured since suffering a broken metatarsal in the 2-1 La Liga win at home to Sevilla on February 4th, but has now resumed light training during the international break.

A short statement from Real confirmed: “James provided the main news of the session. The Colombian joined up with the group for a training session.”

Rodriguez, who was one of the stars of the World Cup finals last year before heading to the Bernabeu from Monaco, had scored 12 goals in 32 appearances for Real before being forced onto the sidelines.

And his return to the fold will come as a major boost to head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks after a number of poor results.

Real have won just once in five games in all competitions, with a 2-1 weekend defeat at Barcelona in El Clasico leaving them four points adrift of their deadly rivals in the race for the Spanish title.

Next up in the league are clashes with Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Eibar, before Real take on Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in a repeat of last season’s final.

Real are 1.48 to reach the Champions League semi-finals at the expense of city rivals Atletico and are 4.90 to retain the trophy they won for a record tenth time last season.