Xabi Alonso nearing return?

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has reportedly stepped up his recovery from groin surgery by joining first-team training with the club on Thursday.

The Spaniard underwent an operation in June to correct a groin injury that had troubled him in the latter stages of last season.

It had been feared that the former Liverpool midfielder would miss the start of the La Liga season, but according to reports in Spain, Alonso took part in Madrid training for 30 minutes on Thursday morning.

Madrid travel to Bournemouth for a pre-season friendly at the weekend.