MADRID, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that young striker Jese Rodriguez is close to completing his recovery following an injury to his cruciate knee ligament earlier in the year.
Jese had begun to earn a regular place in the side prior to his injury and was even being talked of as a possible member of the Spanish World Cup squad for last summer's World Cup, so his return would be an important boost for a side that is already packed with attacking talent.
"Today he started a new phase of his work," said Ancelotti when asked about Jese ahead of Saturday's game at home to Rayo Vallecano.
"He will start to do technical work. For the first week he will work alone, without the ball, and then he'll join the others. It's the final stage of his recovery. We are not in a rush. In a month he'll be ready to play," said the Real Madrid coach.
Ancelotti added that German midfielder Sami Khedira, another whose season has been blighted by injury, is also close to a recovery.
"He won't be available tomorrow. He will go to play for Germany and get some fitness. It is good for him to play for his country," said the Real Madrid coach.
Ancelotti added that Cristiano Ronaldo was his favorite to win the Balon D'Or award for the best player of 2014.
"Results to the talking," he commented. "The German players who won the World Cup will have a chance of winning, but I don't think there are any other players that can get close," he commented, adding that it was right the Portuguese striker should be compared to Real Madrid great, Alfredo Di Stefano.
"Placing him up there with Di Stfano is a good motivation for him. He deserves it," he commented.
Ancelotti also had praise for in-form striker Karim Benzema and midfielder, Isco, who was recalled to the Spanish national team on Friday, before welcoming the return of Gareth Bale, who will play on the right wing against Rayo.
"Bale plays on the right because Cristiano is on the left. Changing him over would mean moving Cristiano as well. James has a different style and Bale likes to play deeper and on the right so that he can shoot better," concluded the Italian.