Real Madrid managed to see off both games in which the forward was not available. Now, Bale is back in Zidane's list, in which Pepe's absence is note-worthy.
The Portuguese centre-back, alongside Raphael Varane, is still sidelined through injury. This leaves the French manager with Sergio Ramos and Nacho Fernandez as sole options for central defence.
Fabio Coentrao and the Dominican striker Mariano have also missed out on the call. Zidane has a total of 20 players travelling to Bilbao, two of which will have to be excluded from the final cut.
The full list of players to face Athletic Bilbao: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla, Rubén Yáñez, Dani Carvajal, Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Kovacic, Isco, Marco Asensio, James, Lucas Vázquez, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Morata.