Real Madrid's Gareth Bale likely to miss Clasico with ankle tendon injury

MADRID (AP) — Gareth Bale is likely to miss the Spanish league Clasico next week because of a right ankle injury.

Real Madrid said tests on Wednesday showed Bale injured a tendon in the 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday. Madrid did not give a timetable for the player's return, but similar injuries usually require at least three weeks of recovery time.

Bale limped off the field on Tuesday in Lisbon after being substituted in the 58th minute. He could miss up to seven games if he is out for three weeks.

Madrid plays the Clasico against Barcelona on Dec. 3 at the Camp Nou. It leads the Catalan club by four points after 12 matches.

This article originally appeared on