Georgia v Wales: Gareth Bale left out of Real Madrid squad five days before qualifier

Gareth Bale limped out of Real Madrid's Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund last week

Gareth Bale has been left out of Real Madrid's squad for tonight's La Liga game against Espanyol, five days before Wales face Georgia in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane said Bale would face a fitness test, but played down the seriousness of the injury.

However, a squad published on Sunday morning omitted the Welshman.

"It's a muscle fatigue, it's nothing serious. But, as always, we don't like to take any risks," said Zidane.

Bale capped a fine performance with a brilliant goal in last week's 3-1 Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund, but did not finish the game and has not taken a full part in training since due to the problem.

The 28-year-old is in the Wales squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia in Tblisi and then the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Monday, 9 October.

Zidane said of that: "Regarding the national team, I don't think there will be a problem between Madrid and Wales.

"It depends on him, on his state of fitness. We'll take it day by day."

Wales are second in Group D following wins over Austria and Moldova in September, but trail leaders Serbia by four points with two matches remaining.

Second place could be enough to earn Chris Coleman's team a place in the play-offs, which will see eight of the nine runners up in qualifying groups play for four remaining places in Russia 2018.

Wales squad

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Chris Maxwell; Defenders: Ben Davies, James Chester, Neil Taylor, Chris Gunter, Tom Lockyer, Ashley Williams, Ethan Ampadu; Midfielders: Joe Allen, David Edwards, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Jonathan Williams, David Brooks; Forwards: Gareth Bale, Marley Watkins, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence, Ben Woodburn.