" GOOD NEWS "

BBC

Sunday 12th February 2017

Wales' Gareth Bale has returned to training with Real Madrid.

Boss Zinedine Zidane says he expects Bale to return to match action within a month, meaning Bale should be fit for Wales' World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on 24 March.

The 27-year-old has been out since November after having surgery to repair ankle tendon damage suffered during a Champions League tie against Sporting.

"First day back on the training pitch with the boys," he posted.

Can't wait to be back in action now," he wrote on Twitter.

"He's fine. He's working very well and looks determined," Zidane said.

The French manager did not give an exact date as to when Bale might return, but hopes the Welshman will be available in time for the second leg of Madrid's Champions League tie with Napoli on 7 March.

"I hope that Bale is back with us before the return leg against Napoli," he said. "He still has to return to team training, which is the most important thing," he said of the club's record signing.

Wales boss Chris Coleman has already indicated that he expects Bale to be fit for the next international break.

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Gareth Bale looks sharp in Real Madrid training as Chris Coleman prepares to meet Wales talisman ahead of Republic of Ireland clash

The Wales talisman is back in training, and he's looking sharper than ever!


Gareth Bale returns to training with Real Madrid (Photo: Real Madrid)
Gareth Bale has returned to training with Real Madrid... and it's safe to say he's looking sharp!

The Wales star has not played since suffering an ankle injury while playing for Los Blancos in their Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon on November 22.

But the 27-year-old is set to give Chris Coleman a huge boost by returning to action well before Wales' crucial World Cup qualifier against Republic of Ireland on March 24.


Bale picked up an injury against Sporting Lisbon


He was pictured in his first day back in training with his Real Madrid team mates on Sunday.

And footage has now emerged of Wales' Euro 2016 hero on the training ground.

Video thumbnail, Gareth Bale back in Real Madrid trainingGareth Bale is back in training
He has kept fans updated with his recovery by regularly posting images and videos on his official Twitter page.

And Wales boss Coleman has revealed he plans to fly out to Madrid later this month to meet the Cardiff-born star and discuss his recovery from injury.

"I'm going out there next week to see Gareth and see how he's progressing," said Coleman.

"We're told he's doing ok. We try to go out once a season really. We knew what kind of injury he had and the timings of it and he's on track.

"It's nice to see him on the pitch with a ball at his feet.



"He's a great player, we know that. He's massive for us, that's obvious. Him just being on the pitch for us gives us all a lift because he's capable of anything.

"Without him, there's only a certain level we can get to, with him, he's that good, there's not a team we can't beat so he's super important to us."

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane earmarked Bale for a return to action for Los Blancos' Champions League knockout tie with Napoli on March 7 - 17 days before Wales take on Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.



Will Wales beat Republic of Ireland in March?

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Gareth Bale looks sharp in Real Madrid training as Chris Coleman prepares to meet Wales talisman ahead of Republic of Ireland clash

The Wales talisman is back in training, and he's looking sharper than ever!


Gareth Bale returns to training with Real Madrid (Photo: Real Madrid)
Gareth Bale has returned to training with Real Madrid... and it's safe to say he's looking sharp!

The Wales star has not played since suffering an ankle injury while playing for Los Blancos in their Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon on November 22.

But the 27-year-old is set to give Chris Coleman a huge boost by returning to action well before Wales' crucial World Cup qualifier against Republic of Ireland on March 24.


Bale picked up an injury against Sporting Lisbon


He was pictured in his first day back in training with his Real Madrid team mates on Sunday.

And footage has now emerged of Wales' Euro 2016 hero on the training ground.

Video thumbnail, Gareth Bale back in Real Madrid trainingGareth Bale is back in training
He has kept fans updated with his recovery by regularly posting images and videos on his official Twitter page.

And Wales boss Coleman has revealed he plans to fly out to Madrid later this month to meet the Cardiff-born star and discuss his recovery from injury.

"I'm going out there next week to see Gareth and see how he's progressing," said Coleman.

"We're told he's doing ok. We try to go out once a season really. We knew what kind of injury he had and the timings of it and he's on track.

"It's nice to see him on the pitch with a ball at his feet.



"He's a great player, we know that. He's massive for us, that's obvious. Him just being on the pitch for us gives us all a lift because he's capable of anything.

"Without him, there's only a certain level we can get to, with him, he's that good, there's not a team we can't beat so he's super important to us."

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane earmarked Bale for a return to action for Los Blancos' Champions League knockout tie with Napoli on March 7 - 17 days before Wales take on Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.



Will Wales beat Republic of Ireland in March?

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