Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Casemiro miss Real Madrid training ahead of Athletic Bilbao clash

Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Casemiro are set to remain on the sidelines for the Real Madrid's clash with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (23 October) as the trio continue to recovery from their respective injuries. Manager Zinedine Zidane has no new injury concerns while Fabio Coentrao is closer to making his long-expected return to action, having completed the last two training sessions with the rest of his teammates.

The 11-time European champions host the Basque side after putting an end to a four-match winless run with two consecutive victories, beating Real Betis 6-1 in La Liga before their Champions League 5-1 over Legia Warsaw.

Modric, Ramos and Casemiro were unavailable for both games due to varying injuries and the trio are set to miss out again on Sunday [23 October]. However, Zidane has been boosted by news that Modric has ramped up his recovery.

"Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and Modric continued their respective recovery processes," Real Madrid confirmed through its official website before adding: "The big news to come out of the session was the presence of the Croatian out on the pitch, as he carried out running exercises separate from the group, before heading back to train in the indoor facilities."

Zidane expects to have all three players back in the coming weeks. Mateo Kovacic, Isco, Marco Asensio and James Rodriguez have ably covered for the loss of Modric while Raphael Varane has taken advantage of Ramos' injury to reclaim a first team place.

Elsewhere, Coentrao is in line for an imminent return from injury after taking part in full training twice this week - though the visit of Athletic has come too soon. The Portuguese international returned from his loan spell at Monaco in the summer as a back-up to Marcelo but is yet to play a game this season. The full-back has been nursing a muscle injury carried over from last term and was forced to abandon his return following another fitness setback.