Real Madrid set to end Anelka's ban today

Real Madrid are set to bring Nicolas Anelka back into the squad to face Champions League holders Manchester United after a public apology this morning from the French striker to the club, its players and fans.

A press conference in Madrid today saw Anelka accept the club fine of around £400,000 and 45 day ban from the club which saw him spend last week in Paris and training by himself since his return. He refused to train for three days in a row over tactics.

Two hours of talks yesterday produced the apology from Anelka with Real issuing a club statement this afternoon in which they are expected to commute his 45 day ban to end later this week.

Real's patience with their temperamental star ran out after the row with coach Vicente Del Bosque who was backed by club president Lorenzo Sanz in his hard line against the striker's protest at the team's tactics.

Anelka threatened to quit football entirely last November and was liked with a swap move instigated by Sanz that would see Juventus release Zinedine Zidane in return for the young striker. He has criticised team mates and Spanish football since a surly arrival last August at the famous club. Any further delays in his career - he missed six weeks with an ankle injury recently - could threaten his place in the French Euro 2000 squad to be finalised in May. He is not under consideration for the next two French friendlies.

Real's £23 million signing of Anelka from Arsenal dominated last summer's transfer market in Europe with Lazio bidding head-to =head with Juventus and the Spanish giants. The saga dragged on for seven months with Anelka's brothers agitating for a move from Arsenal. The London club claim tape recording s exist of an illegal approach made by Real to their player in a murky transfer episode.

Sanz claimed in a television interview that Anelka "had mental problems" but peace talks yesterday have paved the way for the striker to return and possibly rescue Real from injury problems before their Cham[pions League quarter final matches with United.

Spanish international Fernando Morientes is out of the first leg next week while captain Fernando Hierro will miss both matches.