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PLAYING BALE

Madrid news: Manchester United target Gareth Bale to return to Real Madrid action tomorrow against Fuenlabrada after missing 11 games through injury

The Welsh wonder's Copa del Rey return comes as his agent tells Spanish media his under-pressure client is determined to stay at the Bernabeu for the rest of his career

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GARETH BALE will make his latest return from injury as he fights for his Real Madrid future on Tuesday.

The Welshman will be back for the Galacticos when they host Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey.

 Gareth Bale trained with Real Madrid today ahead of his latest return from injury
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Gareth Bale trained with Real Madrid today ahead of his latest return from injuryCredit: EPA

Bale has not featured for the Spanish giants since the Champions League clash with Dortmund on September 26, with hamstring and calf problems ruling him out of the last 11 matches.

The 28-year-old has only started eight times this campaign and his injury woes are not starting to cast serious doubt on his long-term future at the Bernabeu.

Reports this month claimed that his boss Zinedine Zidane was ready to make Bale the biggest name amongst a host of his squad he wanted to sell - although he is adamant he will not be offloaded in January.

The Frenchman has not been able to field his famed-BBC attack of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo since April due to the ex-Tottenham attacker’s setbacks.

 The Welsh star is set to play against Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday
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The Welsh star is set to play against Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey on TuesdayCredit: EPA
 Bale was all smiles as he prepared for the clash along with his fellow Galacticos
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Bale was all smiles as he prepared for the clash along with his fellow GalacticosCredit: EPA

Sections of the home crowd in the capital have now turned on Bale too, subjecting him to jeers on the rare occasions he has played in recent months.

He has also been heavily criticised in the Spanish media, but his agent Jonathan Barnett insists the boo-boys are having no effect on his client and that Bale is determined to spend the rest of his career at Madrid.


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Speaking to , Barnett said: “They do not affect you. If he played badly and the club will not trust him, that would affect him, because he loves Real Madrid.

“He loves the hobby! And that is what matters, not what journalists say. He is not upset by what the press says.

“You have to be careful, but some journalists in Spain write garbage. They are not based on football reasons, and this is a mistake.

“Journalists write, but do not take their time to analyse what he has done. In the games that he has played, Real Madrid has won three Champions Leagues, the league, Super Cup ... when he has been, he has won everything. The followers should adore him.

“I think Real Madrid fans have to see how good he is and understand and support him. That is very important for your evolution.”

 Gareth Bale has missed the last 11 matches due to hamstring and calf problems
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Gareth Bale has missed the last 11 matches due to hamstring and calf problemsCredit: AFP
 He will now be hoping for an extended run in the side under Zinedine Zidane
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He will now be hoping for an extended run in the side under Zinedine ZidaneCredit: Alamy Live News
 Sergio Ramos and the rest of Madrid's side will be hoping Bale can hit his peak powers again over the coming months
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Sergio Ramos and the rest of Madrid's side will be hoping Bale can hit his peak powers again over the coming monthsCredit: EPA

Manchester United have been one of the clubs linked with a move for Bale.

Jose Mourinho has been a long-time admirer of the ace, and rumours are mounting that he has made the Southampton youth graduate his No1 target for next summer.

However, Barnett insists Bale has no intentions of leaving, despite the criticisms that have recently come his way.

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Barnett added: “He wants to play the rest of his life at Real Madrid. He adores Madrid, the city, life and loves the club. He really loves it, and of course it hurts him when they do not support him and they do it with others who are not as good as him.

“It's crazy, this happens only in Spain and I do not understand it. Fans should understand this and know how good a person he is.”

 Gareth Bale has found himself under-fire from a section of the Bernabeu crowd and several Spanish journalists
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Gareth Bale has found himself under-fire from a section of the Bernabeu crowd and several Spanish journalistsCredit: Getty
 Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett insists his client wants to spend the rest of his career at the Bernabeu
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Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett insists his client wants to spend the rest of his career at the BernabeuCredit: Rex Features

Bale will now be hoping for a sustained run in the side, starting with his comeback game against the third-tier outfit tomorrow.

Real are currently eight points behind bitter rivals Barcelona in La Liga, with the two goliaths due to go head-to-head in the El Clasico on December 23.

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