Gareth Bale must 'ride the storm' at Real Madrid, says Malcolm Allen

Gareth Bale returned to scoring form for Real Madrid with a brace against Levante

Former Wales striker Malcolm Allen has urged Gareth Bale to stay strong and not be forced out of Real Madrid.

Bale, 25, has joined up with Wales for Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Israel having been the subject of criticism in Spain recently.

Real will take legal action against fans found to have attacked players' cars, including Bale's vehicle, after Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Barcelona.

"With what's happening he's got to ride the storm a little bit," Allen said.

Allen, who won 14 caps for Wales, believes Bale should stay in Spain despite his recent troubles: "It's ridiculous what's happening to Gareth Bale in Madrid.

"He's only 25 and I hope he's not going to have his head turned in the summer by Manchester United coming in for him.

"Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world and he's at the right place, but I'm not sure what's going to happen."

Bale had responded to recent criticism following a spell of eight matches without a goal for Real Madrid with a brace against Levante.

But the forward was subjected to further criticism following Real Madrid's 2-1 loss to Barcelona in El Clasico, fuelling rumours he could return to the Premier League in the summer.

Cardiff-born Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur on a six-year contract for a world record fee of £85.3m in September 2013.

Wales manager Chris Coleman says Bale's club fortunes are "separate" to his international form and he has nothing to prove for the national team.

Coleman's side are a point behind Group B leaders Israel, who they face in Haifa on Saturday, 28 March.

Israel have won all three of their games so far, with Wales recording two wins and two draws from their four games.