Madrid boosted by Bale return
Real Madrid welcomed Gareth Bale back to training on Tuesday after he missed Sunday's 1-1 draw with Real Betis due to a calf injury.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YLNs47TY9hXVu6REDdJ8D4.jpg)
Gareth Bale moved a step closer to a Real Madrid return on Tuesday after returning to training.
The Wales international was not present last weekend as Madrid lost ground to Barcelona in the Liga title race, a calf injury keeping him out of the 1-1 draw at Real Betis.
Barca took command in the title race as they saw off Malaga 2-1, taking top spot off Atletico Madrid, who were held 0-0 by Sevilla.
He could return against Espanyol this weekend after training alone, the forward tweeting: "Steadily strengthening… Getting closer to the pitch!"
In a statement Madrid confirmed Bale's comeback and gave more detail of his initial training drills, they said: "Real Madrid returned to training and went through a session focused on physical work.
"The main story was the presence of Gareth Bale training alone back out on the field.
"The Welshman did some running and specific exercises in the sand, both with and without the ball."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack