Gareth Bale: Wales confident over Real Madrid winger's fitness

Gareth Bale scored in Real Madrid's 2014 Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid

Wales are confident Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale will be available for November's Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgium.

Bale, 25, has not featured in Real's last three games including the El Clasico win over Barcelona.

He has been suffering with a gluteal leg muscle injury and will not play in the Copa del Rey tie against Cornella.

But Wales assistant Osian Roberts said: "Hopefully he'll be playing very soon now."

Wales face World Cup quarter-finalists Belgium in their next Euro 2016 qualifier on 16 November in Brussels.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down the extent of Bale's injury and said of the Welshman's situation: "He just has a small injury."

Roberts said Wales' medical team were monitoring the injury and were in contact with the Champions League winners.

"It's important he's getting games at Real Madrid before we get back together," Roberts added.

"Having Gareth coming back to fitness will be a huge boost for us.

"The communication is excellent and we knew virtually the minute that he picked up the injury - our medical team was in contact with theirs," Roberts added.

Gareth Bale has scored 14 goals in 47 appearances for Wales

"We're delighted with the relationship that we've got with Carlo Ancelotti and his medical staff."

The former Tottenham player was an unused substitute in Real's 5-0 win over Levante after playing in Wales' Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bosnia-Hercegovina and Cyprus.

He did not feature in Real's 3-0 Champions League win at Liverpool and also missed last Saturday's 3-1 victory against Barcelona in La Liga.

Real face Liverpool in the Champions League on 4 November in between league matches against Granada and Rayo Vallecano before the international break.

Bale is the only player from the home nations on the 23-man shortlist for the Fifa 2014 men's world footballer of the year award.

While Bale featured in the two recent Euro 2016 qualifiers, Wales were without injured midfielders Joe Allen of Liverpool and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey.

Both have returned to their clubs since then and Roberts said it would be a big boost to the squad ahead of the Belgium match.

"Obviously there's other players coming back to fitness, playing regularly and getting more minutes because we had a few out last time," Roberts added.

"We're going to have a few out every game - that's the nature of international football.

"The important thing is - and the players know this - is that we are going to need 25 maybe 30 players throughout this campaign.

"When they get their opportunities they have got to be ready. So far the boys that have been asked to take the field have done so incredibly well."