Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was able to train with his teammates for the first time in three months on Thursday as he nears a return from a thigh muscle tear.

The club confirmed that the Croatian took part in a session along with those who didn't start Real's 2-0 win over Schalke in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Modric suffered the injury during his country's 1-1 draw against Italy in a Euro 2016 qualifier in November.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man has missed his side's last 21 matches, including their Club World Cup triumph in December.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti isn't expected to call the 29-year-old into his squad for Sunday's trip to Elche, but he could feature when the European champions host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 1.