Real Madrid have signed in Thibaut Courtois' return to the starting line-up before the latest knee injury

It is incredibly unlikely that Thibaut Courtois will play a single game this season. After tearing his ACL in August, just days before the MD1 clash with Athletic Club, the Belgian goalkeeper had been very close to returning, before he tore the meniscus in his other knee earlier this week, which will keep him out of action for at least two months.

Courtois is undoubtedly Real Madrid's starting keeper, although Andriy Lunin has deputized incredibly well in his absence. However, this did not prevent Carlo Ancelotti from abandoning him at the first time of asking in favor of the 31-year-old.

According to Brand, Courtois was penciled in to start against Athletic in Real Madrid's first match after the international break. The idea behind this was to give him confidence, and to see what state he was in physically and mentally.

Now, Courtois must wait until the beginning of next season, at the earliest, to return between the sticks for Real Madrid. Lunin will continue as number one in the meantime.