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REAL MADRID

Real Madrid: Light at the end of the tunnel for Gareth Bale

The Welsh forward is now out of the gym after almost a month training alone. It's looking positive and he should be back playing at the end of October.

Update:
Real Madrid: Light at the end of the tunnel for Gareth Bale

Things are looking up for Gareth Bale. His muscle injury is now behind him, and now he is able to jog around the pitch perimeter at Real Madrid' s training complex in Valdebebas. In the squad's last session, the Welsh forward exercised apart and alternated between working inside the gym and out in the open air which is a clear sign that he is progressing well from his muscular problems.

He fell injured on 11 September. No recovery timeline was set but after the initial tests, it was estimated that Bale could be out for between eight to 10 weeks. However, Wales coach Rob Page mentioned during a recent press conference that the player's situation was improving and he hoped to be able to count on him. "Fortunately he is recovering better than expected and we are fairly sure he will be back in November," he told reporters at the start of the month. Bale's imminent return to the field of play will be music to Carlo Ancelotti's ears, who will be hoping the player will soon be back at the same fitness as his team mates in the next few weeks and be ready to play at the end of the month.

Bale happy to be back working with Ancelotti

It's obvious that Bale is very happy in Madrid. He even admitted so himself in an interview for the BBC in which he explained that the atmosphere at the club this season is "much better" for him. The return of Ancelotti, with whom he has a great relationship, was very important for him. For that reason, his latest injury setback was a bitter blow for him. He had not experienced any   muscular problems since January and the possibility that this new muscle problem could hamper his adaptation to the team or cut short his great start to the season, in which he has shown that he is back at his very best - scoring one goal so far and looking one of Madrid's biggest threats in attack.

Bale's latest injury has generated some doubts in the minds of Madrid fans, who still remember some of Bale's darkest hours at Madrid. During his first spell at the club, he suffered over 20 fitness issues which caused his level to drop and ultimately, gradually disappear from the starting line-up to the point when he became practically discarded by Zidane. That motivated Gareth to accept an offer to return to Tottenham on loan last season, a move which turned out well for him and enabled him to get back to his best.

It looks like this will be his final season in Madrid. His contract is up in June and there have been no signs from the club that he will be offered the chance to renew. This newspaper has reported that Bale is contemplating hanging up his boots once his time at Madrid comes to an end. Whatever happens between now and then, his intention is to leave on a high note. He played a key part in two of the team's four Champions League triumphs and the idea is to finish the season and crown his time here with at least one major honour.