Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez returned to training this week as he stepped up his recovery from a fractured metatarsal that has kept him sidelined since the start of February . The Colombia ace , signed from Monaco for £63million last summer , sustained the foot injury during Real Madrid 's 2-1 La Liga win against Sevilla one month ago and has now started work on the training pitch . The 23-year-old trained alone on Wednesday and he went through some light exercises with the ball as he closes in on a return to full fitness . James Rodriguez undertook a light training session away from the main squad as he steps up recovery . Gareth Bale flies into a challenge with full back Marcelo during Real Madrid training on Wednesday . The Wales forward looks to evade the challenge of Jese Rodriguez as team prepare for Saturday 's match . The 25-year-old former Tottenham player has been the subject of criticism from supporters this season . Meanwhile , Gareth Bale and Co prepared for Saturday 's league match against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames as Real look to ramp up the pressure on Barcelona . Luis Enrique 's side do n't play in La Liga until Sunday and , should Carlo Ancleotti 's side return to winning ways against Athletic , could find themselves five points behind the league leaders doing into the clash with Rayo Vallecano . Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw with Villarreal at the Bernabeu on Saturday after being pegged back Gerard Moreno after Cristiano Ronaldo had given the hosts the lead in the first half . Ancelotti is unlikely to be have lost too much sleep as Real are still well placed to win their first La Liga title since 2011-12 under Jose Mourinho . Luka Modric ( centre ) has not featured for Real since November after missing four months with a thigh injury . Sami Khedira , who has n't played for almost a month , has also returned to Real Madrid training . The Real players listen to instructions from manager Carlo Ancelotti in preparation for Athletic Bilbao clash . Alvaro Arbeloa stretches out a leg as Jese shields his face from the ball . They also have one foot in the last eight of the Champions League after winning their last 16 , first leg at Schalke 04 last month 2-0 and host the Bundesliga side for the return on March 10 . 'The team is improving , ' Ancelotti told a news conference after the Villarreal game . 'We 've dropped two points but La Liga will be decided in the final match , ' the Italian added . 'We have to focus on the two-point lead we 've got , which is n't much , but is a lead we must make the most of . Now we have to carry on and in the next game , which will be difficult , try to produce a good reaction . ' France striker Karim Benzema is closed down by Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva . On loan Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez protects the ball from Germany international . Iker Casillas dives to his left and reaches out to make a one-handed save during Wednesday 's session .
James Rodriguez has not featured for Real Madrid since Saturday . Colombia midfielder suffered fractured metatarsal against Sevilla in 2-1 win . James is back in training but is working alone as he fully recovers . The rest of the squad prepared for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on February 4 .