Bale In Line For Champions League Return

Gareth Bale is on the verge of making his return to his Real Madrid side ahead of next week’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg clash with Juventus.

The forward has missed Real’s last two games with a calf injury but is expected to resume full training this week.

And while Wednesday’s La Liga game against Almeria has come early enough for the Welshman, he is likely to feature at some point at Sevilla this weekend.

“Gareth is doing work on his own and will do the same tomorrow,” manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday.

“If all goes well, then he will begin to train with the team again on Thursday.”

Gareth Bale Celebrates With Team-Mates Real Madrid's Second Goal Against Espanyol. Image: Getty.
Gareth Bale Celebrates With Team-Mates Real Madrid’s Second Goal Against Espanyol. Image: Getty.

Ancelotti also expects French striker Karim Benzema to be fit for their visit to Turin next week. Both Bale and Benzema missed last week’s Champions League derby triumph over city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Real trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by two points with five matches left before the end of the domestic season.

“We have a tough calendar, the matches are very difficult. But we have confidence we can play well because the team is in good shape, it’s fresh and can compete in all the games,” he said.

“It’s a time of the season when all the games are life and death for every team.”