<
>

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale was injured on arrival with Wales - sources

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale was injured when he joined up with Wales this week, sources at the Welsh football association (FAW) have told ESPN FC.

On Tuesday, Bale was ruled out of the World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Republic of Ireland with a calf injury.

AS reported that Madrid believe the problem, which a club statement said was inflammation in the muscle, was picked up in training in Cardiff on Monday.

That would make it a different problem to the one that saw Bale substituted at Borussia Dortmund on Sept. 26 and miss Sunday's win over Espanyol.

However FAW sources said Bale took no part in Monday's public training session and instead underwent a scan after which it was decided he would not play against Georgia or Ireland.

It remains to be seen when he will return to Spain for treatment, with reports suggesting he could remain in Wales and attend Monday's clash with Ireland.

The FAW source said the schedule was now a matter for Madrid.

Meanwhile, former Blancos player and coach Jorge Valdano has said Bale has suffered "a cavalry" of injuries, with the latest being the 18th since his arrival from Tottenham in 2013.

The injuries have meant he has missed one-third of Real's games during his time at the club.

And Valdano told Radio Marca: "He is a player who needs regular games and is always starting again from zero. That is difficult for his confidence."

Ex-Wales player Ryan Giggs has advised Bale to "make changes" to both his physical preparation and his style of play to try and avoid further injuries.