Real coach Capello says Cassano can return

AFP - 19 February 2007 16:03

Real Madrid´s Italian striker Antonio Cassano attends a training session in Madrid, January 2007. Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has said that he had forgiven his wayward Italian striker.

MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has said that he had forgiven his wayward Italian striker Antonio Cassano.

"He´s lost weight and he´s training very well. He will be in the squad next week," said Capello at a press conference Monday.

Cassano apparently insulted Capello in the dressing room after Real´s match at Gimnastic Tarragona and has trained seperately from the rest of the Real first team squad ever since.

Spanish pundits also speculated on Monday that Capello´s decision might recall the fiery Cassano, who has often been accused by the Real fans and media critics of being overweight, may also have something to do with Real´s recent lack of goals.

They have only scored once in their last four home games. Both Ruud van Nistelrooy and Jose Antonio Reyes have admitted publically in ther last two days that Real are struggling to find the net.