Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane appears to have performed a u-turn over Eden Hazard's chances of returning to action against Chelsea next week.
The Belgian international, who left the Blues to join the Spanish giants in the summer of 2019, has been plagued by injury issues this season and has not played since mid-March.
Although, when speaking over the weekend, Zidane revealed that Hazard is "ready" to make a return to action.
"He is feeling very better and he is ready," said Zidane, as quoted by the Metro. "He wants to be back more than anyone else.
"We have been more cautious with [Dani] Carvajal and Hazard, because they are relapses. They are both better and that is good for the team."
However, when speaking ahead of Los Blancos' La Liga clash with Cadiz on Wednesday night, Zidane confirmed Hazard will not be involved alongside midfielder Toni Kroos in what could be a major blow for the upcoming Chelsea clash.
"Hazard will not be there and Toni Kroos will not be there," Zidane said at a news conference, as per Marca. "If Hazard is not there, it is because he is not one hundred percent.
"The important thing is that when he returns he is one hundred percent.
"Eden's feeling is not the same and you have to be very attentive.
"I just said it, it's a different case. Your feeling is the most important."
There's no doubt Hazard will be eager to play some part of the two-legged Champions League semi-final.
Speaking in 2019, the Belgian admitted that he would love to get the opportunity to go up against his former club in European football's elite competition.
"Chelsea and especially Chelsea fans will always be special to me and next season I will look for your results first," he said. "I hope that we are drawn against each other in the Champions League and every season so we can meet again."
With that said, Hazard and Kroos won't be the only absentees against Cadiz.
Marca have revealed that fellow midfielder Fede Valverde missed training on Tuesday morning and is expected to miss out.
Although, the report states that Kroos could be saved for next week's first-leg.
