Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down suggestions that Gareth Bale has suffered a recurrence of his calf injury after he left the Welshman out of his side for the Copa del Rey win over Atletico Madrid.
Former AC Milan and Chelsea boss Ancelotti insists the 24-year-old was merely being rested before this weekend’s La Liga clash against Villarreal at the Bernabeu.
Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to be the subject of many World Cup bets to be the top scorer in Brazil, will miss the match against the fifth-placed Yellow Submarine as he will be serving the first game of a three-match suspension.
His absence will open the way for Bale to return to the team, with Ancelotti confirming: “There is no relapse, (Bale) is fine and I just preferred to rest him for Saturday seeing as Cristiano cannot play.
“Gareth being fresh will be good. He’ll probably play.”
Former Southampton and Tottenham star Bale has not played since being substituted at half-time in Real’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Granada on 25th January, and has missed the last three matches in all competitions.
Bale has struggled with a succession of minor injuries since moving to the Spanish capital last summer, although he has managed to find the net eight times in 11 starts and three substitute appearances for Real so far this season, including a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory against Valladolid in November.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti has warned that Real are not yet in the final of the Copa del Rey despite beating Atletico 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-finals thanks to two own goals by Emiliano Insua and Miranda, and Jese Rodriguez’s strike.
“It’s a good result,” Ancelotti added. “The match was really good but we have to be careful because there is another match on the way at Vicente Calderon.”
(Article provided by Chris Peters, with thanks)
