Zidane insists he WILL consider Bale for selection this season

Zinedine Zidane said he would be considering Gareth Bale for selection this season as he gave his last press conference before the start of the season.

When he was asked about his summer fall-out with Gareth Bale – excluding him, saying he was leaving, and then picking him again he appeared resigned to the Welshman staying in his squad.

He said: ‘It seemed he was going and he is still here so I’m going to count on him. He’s an important player. And I hope all the players make it difficult in terms of me picking the team.’

That seemed to indicate that Bale would need to convince the coach he should start matches but it was a far cry from early pre-season surly responses to all questions about the player.

He did, however, appear up-beat about Madrid's chances this season. ‘We want it to start,’ he said of the new campaign. ‘We are ready. I have total optimism. I want to win but I know this is Madrid and that we have to play well too.

‘This is the best league in the world. This is just beginning and we need the supporters behind us.’