Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday that defender Eder Militao has recovered from injury and will be in the squad to face Athletic Bilbao.

The Brazilian centre-back has been out for more than seven months due to a long-term cruciate ligament injury sustained against Athletic in the season’s first match.

Militao will most likely start on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday when the league leaders meet Ernesto Valverde’s high-flying team.

“Militao returns tomorrow, which is the most important news,” Ancelotti said during a press conference.

“He’s available, he’s trained well, and while he’s not 100% since he hasn’t played football, he’s recovered extremely well from his injury.

“He was injured in the first game against Athletic and he’s back for the return, it’s very good news for us.”

Militao, 26, will be a possibility for Ancelotti when Manchester City visits on April 9 for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, barring any setbacks.

Best defense in Spain

With defender David Alaba also injured, Madrid has survived the last few months with only two available natural centre-backs: Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger.

“What happened to us is a little strange,” Ancelotti explained.

“I think we’ve shouldered it well, Rudiger is having a fantastic season, Nacho has brought a lot to the defence, although he’s made some mistakes.”

Despite their defensive injury troubles, Madrid has the top defence in Spain, conceding only 20 goals in 29 games, six fewer than visiting Athletic, who have the second-best record.

Aurelien Tchouameni, a defensive midfielder, has occasionally come in at the back to help plug the gap.

“The collective work has been very good, and it shows in that we are the team that’s let in the fewest goals,” he said.

Madrid is without suspended star forward Vinicius Junior, but top scorer Jude Bellingham has returned after serving a ban.

The Brazilian winger has been in the spotlight this week following his emotional press conference on Monday ahead of a friendly against Spain to battle racism.

Some figures, notably former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, have used the opportunity to further criticize the forward’s behavior on and off the field.

“There is one thing that worries me about Vinicius: he will be unable to play tomorrow,” Ancelotti remarked cynically.