Real Madrid ‘hope’ Gareth Bale returns from injury for El Derbi

Real Madrid right winger Gareth Bale scored in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 upon his return to the starting XI after an upper respiratory infection, but it came at the cost of yet another injury for the 30-year-old.

Gareth Bale has been extremely unlucky in the 2019-2020 season. Beyond fighting off boos from fans and transfer speculation, the Real Madrid club legend has been dealing with a variety of injuries through the first five months of the campaign.

His latest injury is an ankle knock he picked up in the 3-1 win over Unionistas de Salamanca in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey opening win. Bale scored the first goal of the match in the 18th minute off a deflection, but he had to be substituted for young forward Brahim Diaz.

According to a report from MARCA, further testing on Bale’s ankle confirmed that he will be unable to play against Real Valladolid for Sunday’s La Liga Matchweek 21. This news is unsurprising, but Real “hope” Bale can return for El Derbi on Feb. 1.

Bale’s ankle injury is said to be a “very minor” sprain, but since he’s been injured a couple of times this season, expect Zinedine Zidane and the club to exercise all due caution.

That means Bale could miss the Jan. 28 Copa del Rey Round of 16 fixture against Real Zaragoza in order to ensure Real Madrid will have him available against Atletico Madrid. While Real are better than Atleti, they drew Los Rojiblancos in September 0-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano and needed penalties to defeat them in the Spanish Supercup. They will look to secure all three points to start February.

Eden Hazard is also expected to return on Feb. 1 against Diego Simeone‘s side. He is reportedly nearing a return after suffering a more serious ankle injury in the November Champions League fixture against PSG.

Hopefully, Los Merengues will have both star wide forwards available next weekend against Atletico, who always play as gritty as possible against their crosstown rivals.