Gareth Bale to miss El Clásico

Gareth Bale will miss next month's Clásico against Barcelona at Camp Nou after dislocating tendons in his right ankle. The Welshman limped out of last night's meeting with Sporting Clube de Portugal on minute 57. After the game, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed that Bale had damaged his right ankle but didn't think it was directly related to the collison the player was involved in with Sebastián Coates: "A knock? No, I don't think so. To me it looks like he's twisted it, but I can't say whether he will be available for El Clásico or not because I don't know what he's got".

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Tests in Madrid

This morning, Bale was examined in Valdebebas and later drove to the Sanitas-La Moraleja Clinic for a second opinion. After the game, his ankle was quite inflamed - too swollen for doctors to make a diagnosis. The club released a medical report late on Wednesday afternoon, confirming that the player had "dislocated both of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle".

Three weeks on the sidelines

Bale must completely rest for the next three weeks and depending on his progress, doctors will assess whether he will require surgery. If his condition does not improve after conservative, non-invasive treatment, Bale will need to unedergo an operation and could be out for between six to eight weeks.