Cassano Banned from training.

Controversial Italian forward Antonio Cassano is edging nearer the exit door at Real Madrid, according to the Spanish press who said Wednesday he had been kicked out of training by his coach Fabio Capello.

Cassano, who joined Madrid a year ago from Italians Roma, has struggled to gain a first team spot at Real.

And with Capello signing highly-rated Franco-Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain last month, Cassano's path to the first team seems to be blocked by ever more obstacles.

When asked if his arrival could hasten Cassano's departure, Higuain replied: "I have come here to win a place in the team.

Whether Cassano is here or not changes nothing." Earlier this week, Real president Ramon Calderon admitted Cassano had failed to adapt to his new surroundings.