Bale likely to miss Zaragoza Copa clash and sets sights on derby
Despite Zidane wanting the Welsh striker to train with the group the player trained alone as he recovers from his ankle injury.
Gareth Bale is unlikely to participate in Wednesday's Copa del Rey fourth round tie as Real Madrid travel to La Romareda to face Real Zaragoza and will now set his sights on being fit for Saturday's Madrid derby as Atlético visit the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Welsh striker suffered a twisted ankle in last Wednesday's Copa win in Salamanca and despite Zidane earlier being optimistic that Bale would join in with the rest of the squad for Monday's mid-day training at Valdebebas, the Welsh forward worked alone with it now deemed unlikely the striker will be ready for the cup clash.
Saturday's Madrid derby is the following game and with Bale optimistic of being ready for the capital city derby, hopes that Eden Hazard would also be fit have been dashed with the player still working alone on the road to recovery following his ankle injury.
With Hazard returning to ball work last week for the first time since he picked up his injury on November 26 against PSG, there were initial hopes the Belgian midfielder could be back on time for the derby this weekend. The club now have their sights on having Hazard back in action before the next key date on the upcoming calendar: the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City on February 26.