GARETH BALE has made his long-awaited return to Real Madrid training.
The Welsh superstar Tweeted a picture to confirm he is back working with Zinedine Zidane’s first-team squad.
First day back on the training pitch with the boys! Can't wait to be back in action now
⚽ #halamadrid pic.twitter.com/1nSkBwODC3
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) February 12, 2017
He wrote: “First day back on the training pitch with the boys! Can’t wait to be back in action now.”
The winger, 27, has been sidelined since late November when he suffered ankle ligament damage in the Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
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Real boss Zidane expects the £86million forward to be fit before his side’s last-16 second leg tie with Napoli on March 7.
But there is even a suggestion in Spain that Bale could have an outside chance of being available for Real’s home clash with Espanyol next weekend.
⚽️
Look who returned to group training at #RMCity today!
@GarethBale11
#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/4dnDrGwvy1
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) February 12, 2017
Zidane said before Madrid’s 3-1 win at Osasuna on Saturday: “I hope that Bale is back with us before the return leg with Napoli.
“He still has to return to team training, which is the most important thing.
“He’s fine. He’s working very well and looks determined.”
The latest update will be a major boost for Wales boss Chris Coleman ahead of the crunch World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on March 24.
The Dragons 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 so far.
As exclusively revealed by SunSport last month, Coleman is due to travel with assistant boss Kit Symons to Madrid for a personal check on the 27-year-old’s fitness this week.
And the Welsh management pair will be delighted that Bale’s first team comeback is fast approaching.
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