GARETH BALE’S stop-start campaign took another hit after the Real Madrid superstar picked up his FOURTH fitness problem of the season.
The Welshman scored on his return from a chest infection in the 3-1 Copa del Rey win over Unionistas de Salamanca before he was forced off in the 53rd minute with an ankle injury.
Gareth Bale was forced off with an ankle injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bale, who has been limited to just 15 club appearances this season, has also had spells on the sidelines following calf and hamstring injuries before Christmas.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane said: “He’s twisted his ankle a bit. I don’t think it’s much but, as always, we’ll see. He couldn’t go on.”
Bale’s ankle will now be assessed by Real’s medical team ahead of Sunday’s La Liga trip to Valladolid.
His deflected shot in the last-32 cup win was only his third goal of a disrupted season.
Bale missed a month of action with a torn calf muscle he sustained playing for Wales in October and then he sat out two games with a hamstring strain in December.
The 30-year-old had his third fitness issue when he did not travel to Saudi Arabia earlier this month for Real’s Spanish Super Cup triumph due to a chest infection.
The latest injury setback came just hours after Bale’s agent claimed his client will see out the remaining two-and-a-half years of his contract at the Bernabeu.
Ex-club Tottenham had been linked with a shock January loan bid following the long-term injury to Harry Kane.
But Jonathan Barnett said: “He’s one of the best players on earth, why would he go somewhere on loan? That’s ridiculous.
“He’s happy, he’ll play at Real Madrid and hopefully, win a couple more things with them.”
The Welshman had scored on his return to actionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
