Real Madrid's Marcelo, Modric return to training; Bale ramps up recovery

Real Madrid's training ground featured a number of familiar faces Thursday, as Marcelo and Luka Modric returned to practice.

The pair took part in regular training with their Real teammates for the first time since suffering knocks during a victory over Malaga on Jan. 21.

Modric has been dealing with a right abductor strain, as Marcelo works his way back from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal managed to boost their recovery efforts by taking part in a reduced session for the first time since going down with hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively.

The positive news comes two days after Pepe and James Rodriguez returned to training after calf knocks sidelined the two.

Real will look to maintain its four-point edge over Barcelona and Sevilla when Zinedine Zidane's men take on Celta Vigo.