Marco Asensio back in training ahead of Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund but Gareth Bale remains out

Real Madrid starlet Marco Asensio has handed Zinedine Zidane an injury boost after returning to training on Monday (4 December) as Los Blancos begun preparations for the Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

However, Dani Carvajal missed the workout while Gareth Bale remains on the sidelines alongside long-term injury casualty Luca Zidane.

Asensio, 21, has been out of action since suffering an external obturator injury in his right leg during the 6-0 victory over APOEL FC on 21 November.

As a result, the Spain international has missed Real's last three games, including the disappointing back-to-back draws with Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey and Athletic Club Bilbao in La Liga.

But the Spaniard could be back to face Dortmund on Wednesday after completing Monday's training sessions with the rest of his available teammates.

Real have already guaranteed themselves a place in the last 16 as Group H runners up with Tottenham Hotspur progressing as leaders regardless of the results in the final round of fixtures.

Zidane could therefore use the dead rubber encounter with Dortmund to give Asensio some minutes in order to have him fully fit for the crucial clash with Sevilla this weekend.

Meanwhile, Bale's availability for the Champions League clash looks uncertain after last week the Welshman suffered a new blow during the Copa del Rey draw against Fuenlabrada.

Zidane said that Bale could be back in contention this week but the former Tottenham star was still unable to train with the rest of his teammates on Monday.

Luca and Carvajal were the other two absentees from the Monday's workout with the duo already ruled out for the clash with Dortmund.

The third choice goalkeeper is still recovering from a long-term injury while the Spanish right-back is suspended after being booked during the Champions League win over APOEL a fortnight ago.

"Real Madrid have already switched their attention to the Champions League. Zidane's team began preparing for Wednesday's match against Borussia Dortmund (8:45pm CET), corresponding to the last game in the Group Stage. The main story in the first session of the week was Marco Asensio's return to the group," the club confirmed.

"The Whites began with an intense warm-up before progressing to possession and ball circulation work. Then, they split into two teams and played matches in tight spaces. Tejero, from Castilla, and Moha, from the under-19s, trained with the first team. Bale trained alone out on the pitch with and without the ball, Luca did some light jogging while Carvajal worked inside the facilities."