Gareth Bale is set to return from injury in the Real Madrid v Fuenlabrada Copa del Rey clash on Tuesday night. It is not yet clear whether the Welshman will be named in the starting XI or come off the bench but head coach Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that he will have some involvement.
Bale has been sidelined since the match against Borussia Dortmund on September 26th. He was initially out with a calf problem, before his rehabilitation suffered a setback and he injured his hamstring. His fitness struggles mean that he has missed the last 11 matches for Real Madrid but after resuming training last week, he is set to make his long-awaited return.
Having only started eight matches this season, Bale is yet to make the starting lineup alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in 2017-18. Madridistas will be hopeful that he can now play a part in the important run of winter fixtures, culminating with El Clasico against Barcelona at the Bernabeu on December 23rd.
Real Madrid go into Tuesday’s cup match with a 2-0 aggregate lead. Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez both scored penalties to give Los Blancos the advantage in the Copa del Rey fourth round tie. In what should be a relatively low-key affair, it could be the ideal match for Bale to make his comeback.
Next up in La Liga is a what looks a very winnable trip to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, before Real Madrid play their final Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund next Wednesday, with qualification for the last 16 already assured. The following weekend Real play host to Sevilla before jetting off to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup.
