Gareth Bale hands Real Madrid and Wales boost with return to training

Gareth Bale has returned to training at Real Madrid as he closes in on a return to action following an ankle injury.

Bale has been out of action since undergoing surgery on an ankle tendon problem in November, but Real Madrid tweeted a photograph of the 27-year-old training with his team-mates at their headquarters on Sunday.

News of Bale's imminent return also hands Wales boss Chris Coleman a boost ahead of next month's vital World Cup Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Wales are third in Qualifying Group D, four points behind the Irish, who lead the group with three wins and a draw from their four games.

Coleman has confirmed he will fly out to Spain in the coming days to monitor Bale's progress.

"I'd forgot all about Gareth Bale to be honest," Coleman joked. "I'm about to go out there to see how he's progressing. I'm told that he's doing okay.

"We kind of knew what sort of injury he had and the timings of it and he's on track.

"It's nice to see him on the pitch again with a ball at his feet."

Bale's club manager Zinedine Zidane said on Friday that he hoped the Welshman can return in time for Real's Champions League last-16 second leg against Napoli on March 7.

Without Bale, Madrid have maintained their position at the top of the La Liga table, despite intense pressure from Barcelona.

Saturday's 3-1 win at Osasuna means Real are a point clear of their rivals with two games in hand.