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Real Madrid: Gareth Bale in line for first appearance since August vs Elche, says Carlo Ancelotti

  /  autty

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Gareth Bale is in line to make his first Real Madrid appearance since August on Thursday after recovering from a lengthy battle with injury.

Real are set to face Elche in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey after returning from their recent Spanish Super Cup trip to Saudi Arabia.

It will be the first of two outings against Fran Escriba's men in the space of four days, with a La Liga meeting also in store on Sunday afternoon.

And in Thursday's cup contest, Bale could receive his first Los Blancos outing since their 1-0 league win away at Real Betis at the end of August.

The Welshman has only featured three times for Real this season, having spent the last five months on the sidelines with separate knee, calf and back injuries as well as Covid-19.

But ahead of their clash with Elche, Ancelotti said: 'Bale is fine. He will be in the squad. Every player called could play.'

Bale's return comes at a crucial time for Real following Marco Asensio's recent injury blow, which is likely to keep him out of action for the rest of the month.

Nevertheless, he could be forced to settle for a place on the bench against Elche with Rodrygo and Eden Hazard ahead of him in the pecking order.

Bale will be keen to regain match fitness as quickly as possible in order to end the final five months of his Madrid career on a high.

The 32-year-old's deal is due to expire at the end of June, and The Athletic claim he is contemplating retiring if Wales fail to qualify for the World Cup in November.

Should Rob Page's side book their place at the event, there is also no guarantee that Bale will seek out a team at the highest level, as he will merely be looking to maintain fitness.