Iker Casillas should have recovered from a fractured hand within the next couple of weeks but the Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain may find himself warming the bench given the fine form of replacement Diego Lopez.

Casillas sustained the injury during a King’s Cup game against Valencia in January when team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa kicked his hand while trying to clear the ball.

It was initially feared that the Spain captain might be sidelined until the end of April and Real coach Jose Mourinho immediately brought in Lopez from Sevilla as cover.

The lanky 31-year-old, a former Spain international who came through Real’s youth ranks and had a five-year stint at Villarreal, brilliantly kept Manchester United at bay in Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg.

He also played solidly against Barcelona in Real’s two victories over their arch-rivals in the semi-finals of the King’s Cup and La Liga this month.

“Diego Lopez has come here to perform,” assistant Real coach Aitor Karanka told a news conference yesterday previewing today’s La Liga match at Celta Vigo.

“We have great goalkeepers and that is good for the team,” added the former Real Madrid player.

“Iker’s recovery is going well and we hope to have him back as soon as possible. The coach will use the players who are in the best form.”