Key absences for Real Madrid ahead of vital week

Real Madrid face being without two key players for their next two games as Gareth Bale and Marcelo both look likely to miss Saturday's league game at home to Athletic Club Bilbao and the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie away to Roma the following week.

Left back Marcelo suffered a shoulder injury as he fell awkwardly during Real Madrid's hard-fought 2-1 win away to Granada on Sunday night and his place on the left will either be covered by Nacho Fernandez or Danilo.

Bale meanwhile was targeting the game at home to Athletic Club for his comeback after suffering a calf injury three weeks earlier in Real Madrid's home win against Deportivo la Coruna.

The club had been hoping he would be able to pick up speed in the Bernabeu before being first choice in Rome, but after a week working on sand in order to build up muscle strength, he missed Tuesday's session after suffering a minor relapse, which will sideline him for the weekend.

When asked about Bale's fitness last weekend, Zidane commented that the Welsh international "better, but not totally recovered. It is better to do things correctly with him and take his recovery bit by bit."

Athletic will also be missing key players for their visit to a ground where they have lost in 15 of their last 16 visits with midfielder Mikel San Jose and striker Inaki Williams both suspended after San Jose saw his fifth yellow card of the season and Williams sent off during last Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Villarreal. Endit