Real Madrid have confirmed Gareth Bale picked up a calf injury in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donesk but have refused to put a timescale on his return.
The Wales forward was forced off with the problem midway through the first half as Real strolled to a 4-0 win. Afterwards, boss Rafa Benitez confirmed it was a calf issue but had no more information and said the player would be sent for assessment.
A statement on the club’s official website revealed the problem but put no date on Bale’s possible return.
It read: “After tests today at the University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja, Gareth Bale has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the left soleus, pending developments.”
The news is a blow to the team who will be missing captain Sergio Ramos for a couple of weeks after he dislocated his shoulder in the same match. Raphael Varane also picked up a knock but should recover quickly.
Los Blancos have some important games coming up in the next couple of weeks with Athletic Bilbao and Atletico de Madrid on the horizon. Bale will also want to be fit to return for his international side when they take on Andorra next month looking for the win they need to qualify for France 2016.
