Bale gunning for Atlético

Gareth Bale will not be fit in time for Real Madrid's Champions League first leg against Roma. His recovery from a right calf-muscle injury was on course for him to make the showdown against the Italian side on 17th February, but those plans have now been scuppered.

Sources have told MARCA that Bale has not suffered a relapse but has indeed been advised to ease off on the rigorous training programme he was following to prevent the injury becoming more serious.

It was initially estimated that the 'Los Blancos' forward, who picked up the injury in the match against Sporting Gijón, would be sidelined for three weeks, which would have seen him packing his bags to head to Rome's Stadio Olimpico without any problem. The original recovery schedule even allowed for a possible return for Saturday's match against Athletic. The focus now, however, is on being ready to face Atlético Madrid on 27th February.

Neither Zinedine Zidane nor the medical team, the club, or the player himself, are fans of taking chances when it comes to muscle injuries.