Cristiano Ronaldo returns to training for Real Madrid ahead of Clasico showdown with Barcelona

The Portuguese forward had been absent from sessions earlier in the week, but set to line-up with teammates for Saturday's game.

epa06402765 Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 22 December 2017. Real Madrid will face FC Barcelona in a Spanish Primera Division match on 23 December at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. EPA/Fernando Alvarado

Cristiano Ronaldo trains on Friday ahead of Real Madrid's game with Barcelona on Saturday. Fernando Alvardo / EPA

Dec 23, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to full training on Friday with his Real Madrid teammates to quash fears he could miss Saturday'sClasico clash with Barcelona at Real's Santiago Bernabeu.

The world player of the year received rough treatment as he scored the winner in the Fifa Club World Cup final over Brazilians Gremio last weekend in Abu Dhabi, but Ronaldo had insisted he would be fit for the lunchtime visit of league leaders Barca.

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Ronaldo didn't train with the rest of the Madrid squad on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday as a precaution.

Madrid will need Ronaldo in the form he has shown of late having scored five goals in his last four games as the European champions look to claw their way back into the title race.

Zinedine Zidane's men trail Barca by 11 points and are in fourth place also behind Atletico Madrid and Valencia, but they do have a game in hand on their rivals.

The game kicks off at 4pm UAE time.