Gareth Bale has given Real Madrid and Wales a major fitness update with news that he could get active again this month.
The striker was out of action with a hamstring injury last month and it was feared he might not be eligible for selection until the end of November.
Starting each of the first three games of the season for Real Madrid, Bale played in the international double header against Belarus – against which he scored a hat-trick – and Estonia in September.
The 32-year-old had returned to club duty the following week in full fitness but hobbled out of training with a bandage on his right leg after his muscle problems worsened.
Gareth Bale hopes to get active again this month
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Image:
JAVIER LIZON / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
No timeframe was initially set for Bale’s possible return, although such muscle injuries often entail an eight to ten week break, although his recovery has been better than initially feared.
Wales boss Robert Page told reporters earlier this month when asked about an update: “Fortunately, he’s recovering better than expected and we’re pretty sure he will be back in November.”
Bale was unavailable that month for the all-important Wales World Cup qualifiers, in which Pages’ side drew 2-2 in the Czech Republic on Friday night before traveling to Estonia on Monday night.
After the Baltic nations played at Cardiff last month, this could prove to be a crucial match for their qualifying hopes as Wales are currently third in their group, behind the Czech Republic in terms of goal difference for the playoff spot, but with one game in the Hand.
Dan James scored for Wales in Friday’s draw against the Czech Republic
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This fitness update means that Bale is expected to be available for the home games against Belarus and Belgium next month, who will likely have already qualified for first place in the group.
Bale could even be in the running to return to Madrid in time for El Clasico this month, which takes place on October 24th.
Bale is back in the Spanish capital after a year on loan at Tottenham and his club resurgence has been an unexpected redemption story after his time seemed to be over.
The striker scored in the 3-3 draw at Levante this season and appeared to have the confidence of the Italian coach with whom he won the 2014 Copa del Rey and Champions League titles.
Gareth Bale has returned to Real Madrid after signing out to Tottenham last season
Bale scored 16 goals for Spurs while on loan at the North London club last season but has now returned to the Spanish giants – where his early resurgence was initially contrary to expectations.
He had been used in his preferred offensive role in a front line that included Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard during the first few weeks of the campaign.
Madrid have other options in a similar position to Bale with Vinicius Junior, Marco Asensio and Rodrygo Goes.
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