Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward returns to training after injury

Gareth Bale has scored five goals in 12 Real Madrid appearances this season.

Gareth Bale returned to Real Madrid training on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's Champions League visit of Liverpool.

The Wales international has not played in any of Madrid's five matches since the international break because of a buttock muscle injury.

Bale, the world's most expensive player, missed Real's 3-0 win at Anfield but could be in contention for the return fixture.

Real lead La Liga and have won their last 11 matches in all competitions.

Real announced that Bale was back training with Carlo Ancelotti's squad on Sunday, completing "demanding circuits of dribbling, passing and shooting circuits" along with the six outfield players who did not start Saturday's 4-0 win at Granada.

The European champions are top of their Champions League group with three wins from three, six points clear of the other three teams.

Wales play their next Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgium on 16 November, and assistant manager Osian Roberts said last week they were confident Bale would be fit in time.

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.