Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has reportedly begun the first stage of his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The 26-year-old suffered medial and anterior cruciate damage during Germany's friendly against Italy last month, which required surgery to fix the issue.

The combative midfielder is not expected to return this season, but reports in Spain have claimed that his recovery is progressing as he attempts to make the World Cup finals next summer.

It is believed that Khedira is working closely with Bayern Munich and German doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who is a knee specialist.