Real Madrid: Bale to return in Fuenlabrada Copa del Rey clash
Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Gareth Bale is to be involved in Tuesday's second leg, with Keylor Navas and Mateo Kovacic also to play.
Gareth Bale is set to return for Real Madrid in Tuesday's Copa del Rey clash against Fuenlabrada, 63 days after the forward's last appearance for Los Blancos.
Bale, Keylor and Kovacic to face Fuenlabrada
Speaking ahead of the last-32 second leg at the Bernabéu, which Real go into with a 2-0 first-leg lead, head coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Monday that Bale will feature, but added: "I don't know exactly how long for."
The Welshman has not played since limping out of a Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund in September with a calf issue.
Zidane also revealed that goalkeeper Keylor Navas is in line to start, having recovered from a thigh strain suffered in October, as is midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who has missed two months with a groin injury. "Hopefully he'll be able to play the whole match," the Frenchman said of Kovacic.
Captain Ramos won't be risked, says Zidane
However, captain Sergio Ramos remains out of action after breaking his nose against Atlético Madrid a week ago, with Zidane explaining: "I won't risk Sergio."
Along with injured pair Marco Asensio and Luca Zidane, winger Lucas Vázquez - who picked up an ankle knock in the weekend LaLiga win over Málaga - missed Monday training, but defender Dani Carvajal was back with the group after being confined to the gym on Sunday.
Youngsters in the frame for Copa clash
Meanwhile, seven academy players - Moha Ramos, Manu Hernando, Álvaro Tejero, Luis Miguel Quezada, Franchu, Jaime Seoane and Óscar Rodríguez - were involved in the session, suggesting that, having included six in his first-leg squad, Zidane will again blood youth products against Fuenlabrada.
For instance, Jesús Vallejo's suspension for his red card at the Estadio Fernando Torres could see Castilla's Hernando drafted in to start at centre-back.
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