Bale poised to return ahead of schedule

The Real Madrid star sustained ankle ligament damage in a Champions League match at Sporting Lisbon on 22 November and the estimate was that it would take him at least four months to return to action.

But, as the Daily Mail reports, Bale’s natural fitness and studious approach to rehab has raised hopes for an early return, certainly in time to be on the Wales squad that will travel to Republic of Ireland for their crucial World Cup qualifier on 24 March.

Real Madrid will want Bale to have played at least one and possibly two games before he departs for international duty, so he could make his return in the 12 March La Liga fixture against Real Betis. In case he fails to be cleared by Real’s medical team by that date, Bale should be expected to feature in the 19 March fixture against Athletic Bilbao.