The Belgian has been progressing well and returned to work with the ball on Thursday. His objective is to return for Atlético’s visit to the Bernabéu on 1 February.
Just having the ball at his feet again for the first time in almost two months will be a massive boost for the Belgian. The player was on the end of a clumsy challenge from Thomas Meunier during the Champions League meeting with PSG on 26 November. In the subsequent 58 days, the player has worked non-stop with the club medical team to ensure his physical form didn’t decline while his ankle healed.
Hazard has his sights set on two key games – the Madrid derby at the Bernabéu on 1 February and the first leg of the Champions League Last 16 tie against Manchester City on 26 February. Against Atletico, he hopes to be given a run-out – possibly coming on for the last 10 minutes. As for Guardiola’s visit to the capital at the end of the month, Hazard hopes to be back match-fit and firing on all cylinders. The City game is one that no one wants to miss.