Real Madrid have received a significant boost ahead of their La Liga meeting with Sevilla, with Éder Militão returning to the squad after an extended spell on the sidelines.

The Brazilian centre-back has been included in José Mourinho’s squad for Sunday’s encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, marking an important milestone in his recovery from a serious injury that has kept him out of action since April. His return offers Madrid another experienced option in central defence as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.

Militão suffered a rupture of the proximal tendon of the biceps femoris in his left leg during Real Madrid’s league match against Deportivo Alavés in April. He subsequently underwent surgery on April 28, beginning a lengthy rehabilitation programme that required careful monitoring by the club’s medical staff.

After several months of recovery, the 28-year-old resumed full group training towards the end of September. His progress has been encouraging, allowing him to return to the matchday squad earlier than Mourinho had initially anticipated.

His inclusion does not necessarily mean he is ready to play the full 90 minutes. Given the seriousness of the injury and the length of his absence, Madrid are expected to manage his return carefully to minimise the risk of another setback.

Militão’s availability comes at an important time for Mourinho, whose defensive options have been affected by injuries to other players. The Brazilian’s experience, physical strength and ability to defend space could prove valuable as Madrid look to maintain consistency in domestic and European competitions.

The Sevilla fixture could provide Militão with his first opportunity to feature in a competitive match since April, depending on how the game develops and his match fitness. His return also raises the possibility of increased involvement in the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona on October 25, although that will depend on his progress and the manager’s assessment.

For Real Madrid, having Militão back in contention is an encouraging development as the club looks to strengthen its defence for the decisive fixtures ahead.