Gareth Bale not included in Real Madrid Champions League squad for Napoli clash
Tuesday 14 February 2017 14:52, UK
Gareth Bale will have to wait for his return to action after three months out as the Welshman was not included in Zinedine Zidane's squad for Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Napoli on Wednesday.
Bale only returned to full training for the first time on Sunday since suffering ankle ligament damage in November.
Cristiano Ronaldo is included in Zidane's 19-man squad for the first leg of the European champions' last 16 tie after shrugging off a knock picked up in Saturday's 3-1 win at Osasuna.
Real Madrid had tweeted a photograph of the 27-year-old training with his team-mates at their headquarters on Sunday, but he will not be ready in time for the first-leg clash at the Bernabeu.
"He has had nearly three months out and we have to go slowly with Gareth," said Zidane on Tuesday. "Everyone wants to win the Champions League, but it is a hard and long road and we are on that path.
"The good thing is that we are in good shape. We have everyone fit, that means it will be harder to pick the squad, but I'm happy to see everyone ready and committed for the return of the Champions League."
Wales manager Chris Coleman confirmed at the weekend that he would be flying 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."
