San Sebastian (Spain), Dec 29 (IANS): Real Sociedad began preparing here for their January 6 La Liga match against Real Madrid at the first practice since Imanol Alguacil was named as coach.

Raul Navas and Joseba Zaldua were back with the squad on Friday after missing several weeks due to injury, though Kevin remains doubtful for the contest against the Blancos, reports Efe.

Imanol is no stranger to most of the Sociedad players.

Until this week, he was coach of the reserve team. And he directed the first team for the final nine matches of the 2017-2018 La Liga season.

The coach has scheduled five training sessions and a friendly to whip the side into shape before the match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

His tenure in the second half of the last campaign was very successful: five victories and just two losses, with plenty of goals and scintillating play that Sociedad supporters are hoping to see again as the team struggles in 15th place, just three spots above the drop zone.