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Gareth Bale suffers calf injury, to miss 2-3 weeks

Xinhua, January 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid have suffered an injury setback with the confirmation that Gareth Bale will be out of action for between 2-3 weeks after suffering a calf injury at the end of the first half of Sunday's 5-1 win at home to Sporting Gijon.

Bale had scored the opening goal of that game to add to the hat-trick he netted 7 days earlier in the 5-0 victory over Deportivo la Coruna and he has scored 11 goals in his last 10 appearances.

The injury means that Bale will miss next weekend's trip to face Betis and matches against Espanyol and Granada, while he is a doubt for the following game at home to Athletic Club Bilbao.

There is better news regarding Karim Benzema, who also had to leave the pitch with a possible ankle injury after a collision with team-mate James Rodriguez. It now appears that Benzema has suffered no lasting damage and that he will be available for the coming weekend.

Meanwhile Barca striker Leo Messi, who also left the pitch at halftime at the weekend, is a doubt for Wednesday's King's Cup tie away to Athletic Club Bilbao as the result of a slight muscle stain.

Barca coach Luis Enrique explained on Sunday that he had taken the striker off as a precaution. Endit