Bale doubtful for Madrid's match with Espanyol
Gareth Bale has not been definitively ruled out of Real Madrid's match against Espanyol, but is a doubt after missing training.
Real Madrid is likely to be without Gareth Bale for Monday's (AEST) LaLiga home match against Espanyol.
Bale scored one and provided an assist impressive 3-1 UEFA Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund in the week, but had to be replaced by Lucas Vazquez with five minutes remaining after being seen feeling the back of his leg.
Tests have ruled out any significant damage, but the Wales international again missed training on Saturday.
Head coach Zinedine Zidane did not completely rule out the prospect of Bale featuring at Santiago Bernabeu, although he did not seem keen on taking a chance.
The injury will also concern Wales, which has two crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Republic of Ireland after Madrid faces Espanyol.
"It is a strain, so nothing too significant," Zidane said. "But, as always, when a player has even a small problem then we don't want to risk it.
"You will see on [Monday AEST] if he plays. He may be [on the squad list] and is not discounted yet.
"As for him playing for his national team [next week], I don't think there will be any issue between Real Madrid and Wales.
"It will depend on his injury niggles and his state of fitness, nothing else. We will take it day-to-day from [Monday AEST].
"I'm not worried about the BBC, we will see them all soon."
Zidane wants to build momentum at the Bernabeu, where Madrid has failed to win in three LaLiga games, after beating Alaves and Dortmund in consecutive away matches.
"We want to keep doing what we've been doing and to win well," he said.
"If you play well and start the match well then you'll have a good chance of winning.
"We can change all of [the talk about poor home form]. Now we have a game to change this. We don't live in the past and what has happened has happened.
"The fans have been there for life and we wouldn't want to change it. We love our fan base and all of the players and the squad want to play at this stadium.
"We cannot have the mind-set that we don't want to play [at home]. If we could play every match here then that would be much better."
