Scan reveals deeper injury worry for Bale

Gareth Bale has been diagnosed with a muscle contracture in his left thigh but it remains to be seen how long the Wales forward will be sidelined for, Real Madrid have announced.

Bale – who missed most of the pre-season while uncertainty over his future continued – has been hampered by injury since completing his world record transfer from Tottenham in August, appearing in only two league matches and one in the Champions League for Madrid.