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Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane unsure whether Isco will stay at Bernabeu

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has praised backup midfielder Isco for his attitude but said he does not know whether he will stay at the club in the summer.

Isco has been linked with Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus after starting just 11 of Madrid's 21 La Liga games this season.

With his contract due to expire in June 2018, the Spain international said after the weekend win over Espanyol that he would "have a decision to make" about his future.

Some local reports have claimed he had already decided to move on at the end of the campaign.

But Zidane told a news conference: "We cannot talk about what will happen in July. I do not know yet.

"We are focused on winning games now, and we will see what happens in the summer.

"There is no problem and [Isco] has said that too. He is very committed to what he is doing at the moment. He knows I like him as a player and count on him.

"If a player plays 25 games in a row then is left out for one, he won't be happy. I was the same."

Madrid are a point clear of Barcelona at the top of the table and have two games in hand, including Wednesday's rearranged match at Valencia.

"If we win it will be three points more, nothing more," the coach said. "We are still in February -- in March, the final stage of the season begins. Every game is very important."

Zidane did not confirm whether Gareth Bale would start, having scored against Espanyol 12 minutes into his return as a substitute following three months out with an ankle injury.

"You will find out tomorrow," he said. "But [Bale] is feeling very good, very happy, physically good. But we will see."

Zidane has been rotating his side recently, with Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Keylor Navas among the players rested against Espanyol.

But Zidane said Cristiano Ronaldo would not sit out the Valencia game despite not taking part in group training on Monday.

"Cristiano has rested already," he said. "He is fine, and tomorrow he is going to play."

Madrid have won only one of their last three visits to Valencia, and Zidane warned: "We will have to work hard.

"They are playing much better lately. It is a stadium where we know it will be difficult. But I like stadiums with atmosphere -- it helps the players."