Real Madrid Given Positive New Kylian Mbappe Fitness Update

The long and extended international break generally went well for Real Madrid players, with a number of players performing well, and not much to report on on the injury front. 

However, there was one exception when it came to the latter point. Indeed so, as forward Kylian Mbappe actually picked up an injury whilst scoring the only goal of the game for France in their win away to Turkey, the first game under Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. 

He immediately returned to Madrid for treatment, with there being concern that the injury could be a tough one. This wasn't a mystery injury in training where players pull out of international duty. No. Everyone saw him pick this injury up whilst scoring the goal. So there was no foul play involved. 

Nevertheless, there has been some very good news provided regarding the Frenchman's fitness. Indeed so, as journalist Pablo Gallego (via theMadridZone) is reporting that Mbappe completed the entire training session with the team on Wednesday (the 7th) and is in "perfect condition", meaning he is set to be able to start against Villarreal on Saturday. 

The words perfect condition feel optimal here. That feels crucial. It is very important that he was not rushed back to the starting XI without being fully fit. At the risk of aggravating the injury, etc. 

There was a hope that, if Mbappe missed the game, we could see Jose Mourinho give Carlos Espi a start, having won the team four crucial points off the bench already. FC Barcelona already feel quite a way at the top of the league, so imagine the situation if the striker had not scored those goals. 

Still, it does look like the 27-year old will indeed be the one to start the game. So far this season, he has already found the back of the net seven times in La Liga, though he did fail to score in the two defeats against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid last time out, which frustrated some fans. 

You never know, perhaps there could be room for both him and Espi to start. We saw Zidane go with Mbappe off the left hand side for France, having been widely reported that was the plan, though we never got to see it more than once due to the injury. The goal came from making an out to in run from the left. 

Plus, Vinicius has had a really poor start to the campaign, which did not get better with Brazil during the international break. So, perhaps we could see Mbappe off the left and Espi up front? Let's see.