Real Madrid consider return to training after Real Sociedad confirm players could be back this week

Sociedad prepared to let players return from Tuesday and other clubs could follow suit

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  Gareth Bale (L) and Karim Benzema (R) at training

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  Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane attends the team's training session at Valdebebas sport city. All pictures EPA

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  Gareth Bale in training ahead og the clasico n Sunday.

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  Real Madrid's players James Rodriguez (front), Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Luka Jovic, Raphael Varane and Ferland Mendy

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  Real's Marcelo during the session.

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  Zinedine Zidane watches the session.

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  Real Madrid players during a training session at Valdebebas sport city

Real Madrid are among a number of La Liga clubs reportedly considering a return to training after Real Sociedad announced that players would have the option to train at their Zubieta complex from Tuesday.

Spain has been one of the worst-affected countries during the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 160,000 total cases and 16,000 deaths, while more than 59,000 people have recovered based on the latest statistics.

Most of Spanish society has been in lockdown for the past few weeks in an attempt to limit the spread of Covid-19, and there are signs across the country that the situation is gradually improving with the death rate slowing down.

Real Sociedad therefore confirmed that players would be welcomed to return to training at the club's training ground this week if they so choose, while insisting social distancing protocols will be in place.

"Once the government decides that non-essential activities can restart their work, first-team players will have the choice of continuing their individual workouts in Zubieta from Tuesday of next week. In no way will this work in Zubieta be group-based," Sociedad said in a statement.

"Training will remain obligatory, as it is now. Every player will be able to decide to continue at home or in Zubieta.

"If they do decide for Zubieta, we will continue to follow the existing protocols, which will scrupulously respect the security measures agreed by health services, which means those players who do opt for Zubieta will do so in an individual, gradual manner."

Since Sociedad's announcement, Marca have reported that Real Madrid are also contemplating re-opening their Valdebebas training facilities for first team players.

The report claims that the club, led by team doctor Niko Mihic, have been putting together protocols and safety measures in preparation for the players' return to the facility.

The protocol will also factor in measures to protect the city of Madrid itself, with the Spanish capital the centre of the outbreak in Spain and one of the hardest-hit cities in the world.

The seemingly imminent return to training by Spanish clubs follows that of their German Bundesliga counterparts, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, and Bayer Leverkusen all welcoming players back for training sessions.

However, photos from those sessions showed players adhering to social distancing rules by only training in pairs and maintaining two-metre distances.