Real Madrid have revealed that winger Gareth Bale will spend another period on the sidelines after suffering an adductor injury.
Bale had only just returned to training after missing over a month of action with a calf problem, and the Welsh star had been hoping to return for the derby clash with Atletico Madrid after the international break.
However, the 28-year-old has sustained a fresh problem, with some reports suggesting that the attacker could be missing for the next month.
A club statement read: "Our player Gareth Bale, who felt some discomfort in his left leg at the end of Thursday's training session, today underwent various tests carried out by the Real Madrid Sanitas medical team.
"He has been diagnosed with a strain to the middle third of the adductor longus muscle in his left leg. His recovery will continue to be assessed."
Bale had made 10 appearances during the first seven weeks of the season, but this is one of a number of fitness setbacks which have occurred since the start of the last campaign.
Darren Plant
