Sergio Ramos kicked and headed every ball during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Tuesday night.
But he did so from the sidelines as a lack of fitness ruled the Spain international out of the Champions League semi-final first-leg.
Ramos has endured a stop-start 2021 thus far, making just three appearances across all competitions as a result of knee and calf injuries whilst he also tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the month.
However, having been spotted back in training last there had been speculation that he could return to action when Los Blancos hosted Chelsea in the first leg of their last-four clash.
That wasn't the case as Zinedine Zidane opted to start with a back three of Raphael Varane, Eder Militao, and Nacho.
With that said, the Frenchman is likely to have the option to revert to a back four when his side travel to west London next week for the decider
This is because Ramos is set to be available.
Over the weekend, Spanish news outlet AS claimed that Real Madrid had always pencilled in Ramos to return for the second leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 5.
Furthermore, the report states that Zidane will give the 35-year-old some game time in Real's La Liga fixture with Osasuna on Saturday in order to build up his match practice ahead of the trip to the capital.
Such is Ramos' importance to Real Madrid, having him available for selection once again will certainly be a massive boost for Zidane as he bids to reach another Champions League final.
And ex-Blues midfielder Joe Cole is slightly concerned about the prospect.
"I think we’ve missed a little trick, I hope I’m wrong, but I just think they won’t play as bad as that," he said on BT Sport. "If Ramos is back, then they’ll go back to a back four, which they’re more comfortable with."
