Karim Benzema has returned to his native France for treatment to aid his recovery from a knee injury in time for Real Madrid's Champions League semifinal.
Madrid's defence of their European crown will continue in the last four -- with the two two-legged ties to kick off on May 5/6 and conclude the following week -- and it is unlikely that Benzema's condition will be known for sure much before that.
After injuring ligaments in his right knee during the goalless first leg of his club's quarterfinal against neighbours Atletico, the 27-year-old missed the return fixture in which Javier Hernandez, drafted in to replace him, scored the late goal that took the defending champions through 1-0 on aggregate.
In an attempt to accelerate his return to the pitch, which was initially estimated at up to two weeks, Benzema travelled to Lyon on Wednesday to begin a rehabilitation programme at the Paul Santy Paramedical Rehabilitation Centre, RMC reports.
Close relations between French knee specialist Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet and Madrid's medical chief, Jesus del Olmo, meant Benzema was able to undergo the treatment in his home town, where his career started with OL.
Del Olmo is expected in Lyon on Friday to oversee Benzema's recovery with the forward, who has scored 15 goals in 28 La Liga games this season, aiming to return to aid his side's bid to become the first side of the Champions League era to retain the trophy.