Real Madrid handed surprise Kylian Mbappe injury boost

Kylian Mbappe has been included in Real Madrid's travelling squad to face Lille on Wednesday after making rapid improvement in his battle against injury.

Mbappe limped off with a hamstring injury in the dying embers of Madrid's 3-2 win over Alaves on September 24 and was expected to miss around three weeks of action, with his absence beginning in this weekend's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.

However, he has since been included in the squad ahead of a potential return against Lille, just over a week after picking up the injury.

AS state Mbappe has "good feelings" about his condition, although a final decision on his return has not yet been made.

Mbappe continued his recovery work in Monday's training session and will be given the chance to get involved on Tuesday, after which medical staff will decide whether he is healthy enough to play.

It could be a particularly emotional evening for Mbappe who, if fit, would have the chance to line up opposite his younger brother Ethan. The 17-year-old midfielder swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Lille this summer and already has four senior appearances to his name.

Madrid's squad does not include goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is set for a short spell on the sidelines with a groin injury. Fran Gonzalez and Sergio Mestre will provide cover for Andriy Lunin in between the sticks.