Cristiano Ronaldo says he is fit again and looking to resume what he believes is possibly his best-ever start to a season.
Ronaldo sat out Real Madrid's last two matches against Galatasaray and Real Valladolid after sustaining a hamstring injury during the fixture with Almeria.
That meant Ronaldo's stunning goalscoring form this season was put on hold, but the Portugal international is now ready to return.
"I've no injury. I've been fine for a couple of days now. We decided not to push it in the last game but I'll be available for the next game for certain," he said at an award ceremony for Spanish newspaper Marca.
He will have to wait for his comeback, though, as he is suspended for Madrid's Copa del Rey clash with minnows Olimpic Xativa on Saturday following his red card in last year's final defeat to city rivals Atletico.
After that, Carlo Ancelotti's men travel to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League the following Tuesday before facing Osasuna in La Liga.
Prior to his injury, Ronaldo could not stop scoring.
He took his tally to 35 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season with the opening goal in the 5-0 win over Almeria, while in the whole of 2013 he has struck 67 times for club and country.
The £80 million man has had many memorable campaigns during his career, but he admits this one might be unparalleled so far.
"I'm in good form right now, this might be my best start to a season, but I think that in recent years I've always been at a very high level."
Madrid have hardly missed Ronaldo though, beating Galatasaray 4-1 and then seeing off Valladolid 4-0 on Sunday with a hat-trick from Gareth Bale.
That win, combined with Barcelona's defeat at Athletic Bilbao, means Real are now only three points off top spot, which is jointly shared by Barca and Atletico Madrid.
Seeing Atletico above Real at this stage of the season may raise a few eyebrows, but the Rojiblancos' impressive form has not come as a surprise to Ronaldo and he believes Diego Simeone's men will be right up there at the end of the campaign.
"I'm not surprised by Atletico, I thought they looked very strong last season," he said. "They are very well organized, have a great coach, a very good goalkeeper... they're going to be fighting for the title and they are a strong candidate. We'll see what happens at the end but I'm convinced Madrid are going to win it."
He added of his side, who have won seven of their last eight matches in La Liga: "Madrid look very strong to me. We're getting better, improving little by little and we're doing well.
"I want to be able to help the team, so what we are doing well until the end of the season, which is when the titles are won."
