Key attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder could return to action for Real Madrid far quicker than expected, according to reports.

Doctors said Sneijder would be sidelined for at least three months, after he picked up a ligament injury in his left knee while playing against Arsenal in the Emirates Cup in early August.

But according to Marca, the 24-year-old Dutch international has made a rapid recovery and could return to La Liga action in early October.

Sneijder, formerly of Ajax, scored nine goals and helped create six others during Real's Spanish title triumph last season.