Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 6y

Zinedine Zidane talks up Gareth Bale importance; unsure when he will return

Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid have missed "important player" Gareth Bale while he has been injured these last two months, but would not confirm whether the Wales international would return in Saturday's La Liga game against Malaga at the Bernabeu.

Bale has not played since late September due to the latest in a long series of muscle problems, a spell during which Madrid have fallen 10 points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga's title race, and took only one point from two meetings with Tottenham to end up in second spot in their Champions League group.

After Bale returned to full training on Friday morning, Zidane told a news conference that the player knew he was a vital member of the Madrid squad, and should soon be back contributing to the team.

"We know what Gareth can bring us," Zidane said. "Many things. He is very strong, fast, technically very good, works very hard. It's true there has been a lot of talk about his injuries, and that he plays just three games before another [absence].

"But he is a very important player for us. He knows that, we know that, everyone does. He is training without a problem, but I don't know when he will play. We want him back 100 percent, he will not need so much time as there was not a big gap between the two injuries this time."

Zidane was also cagey when asked whether Keylor Navas and Mateo Kovacic would return from their recent injury absences against Malaga, and whether club captain Sergio Ramos might play with a facial mask protecting the nose broken in last weekend's 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid.

Should Ramos not be risked then youngster Jesus Vallejo will partner Raphael Varane in defence, as usual back-up Nacho Fernandez is suspended.

"[Navas and Kovacic] are ready but maybe they are in the squad, maybe not," Zidane said. "You will see tomorrow whether Sergio will play. We have other players who can play there, and can will do well."

Definitely out for Saturday's game is starlet Marco Asensio who picked up a muscle problem in Tuesday's 6-0 win at Apoel Nicosia, with Zidane declining to give details but saying the injury was "not too big".

Zidane added that regular injury problems through the autumn were no excuse for his team finding themselves so far behind Barca in the table.

"I am not going to look for excuses," he said. "The 10 points are not due to injuries, that can happen in football. It is a bit of everything, and I am responsible for that."

Zidane said the home game against 18th-placed Malaga was a chance for Madrid to start cutting into the lead held by Barca, who have a potentially tricky game at second-placed Valencia on Sunday.

"[Malaga's] position in the table is not deserved," Zidane said. "They have been playing well recently, won two of their last three games. All matches now are decisive for us. We are playing first, and then we will see what happens on Sunday. One of the teams must drop points. I did not expect to be in [this situation]."

Finally, Zidane said he was surprised that UEFA had opened disciplinary proceedings against right-back Dani Carvajal for allegedly forcing a booking against Apoel on Tuesday to ensure he was free of suspension for the Champions League round-of-16.

"I am surprised by everything around this," he said. "Dani did not force [the yellow card], it was just a normal action. We will see what happens, I hope nothing."

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