Gareth Bale close to return for Real Madrid, says boss Zinedine Zidane

Gareth Bale has scored 26 goals for Wales

Gareth Bale could return from injury for Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Wales forward, 27, has been out since having surgery to repair ankle tendon damage suffered in November.

Bale is not fit enough to be included in Real's squad for Wednesday's Champions League tie against Napoli but could feature in Saturday's La Liga match at home to Espanyol.

That would mean he would be fit for Wales' crucial World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland on 24 March.

"This is his first week back training. He's in good shape physically," said Real boss Zinedine Zidane.

"You'll have to see whether he's in the squad or not, or whether he'll be in on the weekend. We'll see.

"He's had almost three months out and we have to take it slowly with Gareth. The important thing is that he's back training with us."

Bale announced on Sunday he had returned to training with Real.

"First day back on the training pitch with the boys," he posted.

"Can't wait to be back in action now," he wrote on Twitter.