Real Madrid confirm ankle operation for Gareth Bale

Real Madrid confirmed on Thursday that striker Gareth Bale will need an operation on the ankle ligaments he damaged during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.

Bale limped out of the game after around an hour and on Wednesday the club website confirmed he had suffered "a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons of his right ankle" and that his recovery "depending on how the injury evolves".

The club posted an update on Thursday confirming that Bale will now undergo an operation at "King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday 29th November by doctor James Calder, under the supervision of the club doctors Jesus Olmo and Mikel Aramberri".

This update significantly increases the time Bale will need to recover and instead of being sidelined for around a month, he could now be out of action for two and possibly up to three months.

That means Bale will miss the 'Classico' against FC Barcelona on December 3rd and the World Club Championship in Japan and will struggle to be fit when Real Madrid, who are not assured of finishing top of their Champions League group, play the last 16 of the competition in February 2017.

Real Madrid also have striker Alvaro Morata (hamstring) and Tony Kroos (broken metatarsus bone) out of action at the moment and doubts over the fitness of left back Marcelo and midfielder Casemiro, who is recovering from a broken leg. Enditem