Gareth Bale returns to Real Madrid training ahead of Rayo Vallecano and Manchester City games

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been given a massive injury boost after Gareth Bale returned to training sessions on Thursday (21 April). The former Tottenham star missed the midweek victory over Villarreal due to a muscular problem but looks now in line to comeback for the Saturday trip to Rayo Vallecano, which will come only three days before the Champions League semi-final first leg with Manchester City.

Bale sparked doubts over his participation in the European duel with City earlier in the week after Zidane revealed that he picked a muscular strain during the 5-1 victory over Getafe at the weekend, being replaced early in the second half by Lucas Vazquez after scoring his 16<sup>th La Liga goal of the campaign.

The Real Madrid boss boss then failed to set a deadline day for his recovery but the Welshman missed the Wednesday 3-0 victory over Villarreal, with Vazquez covering his place in the right-side of the attack and netting one of the goals of the game.

Zidane sent a bullish message in his post match press conference after revealing that he expected the Welshman back in training on Thursday. He said: "I think Gareth will train tomorrow and I hope he will feature in Saturday's game".

And Real Madrid have now confirmed the good news after posting some pictures of the former Tottenham hero in the training session as Los Blancos prepare his visit to Rayo Vallecano.

"Gareth Bale rejoined the group and undertook running and shooting exercises alone before finishing the session with the rest of his teammates. Real Madrid Castilla players Borja Mayoral, Martin Odegaard and Marcos Llorente also took part in the session," the club added.

The game will be another massive test for Real Madrid as they remain one point adrift of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the La Liga table with just four games remaining.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are yet to provide an update on Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese international picked up a muscular problem later during their win over Villarreal.

Zidane admitted his concerns over the issue in his post-match press conference but initial reports in Spain suggest that the former Manchester United star would be ready to play against Manchester City, while he could be rested for the La Liga game with Rayo as a precaution.