Real Madrid: Gareth Bale could face three more weeks out

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale could be out of action for another three weeks, according to Wales assistant manager Osian Roberts. Bale, 26, has been on the sidelines since suffering a calf injury during Real's 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon on 17 January.

The Wales forward will miss the midweek Champions League clash with Serie A side Roma after suffering a setback in his recovery. And Roberts fears he may miss Wales's next international fixtures against Northern Ireland and Ukraine at the end of March.

The Wales assistant boss told the BBC: "The most important thing is the injury clears up because it can reoccur." Bale's injury is a major blow for Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, with the Champions League increasingly seen as the club's best shot at winning a major title this season.

Real are four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand, and were thrown out of the Copa del Rey in December for fielding an ineligible player.

'Recovery won't be rushed'

"Time will tell over the next two or three weeks how that develops as Gareth steps up his rehab, and we'll take it from there," Roberts said and added, "He's got some key games coming up for Real Madrid and it's important for us that he's fully fit for [Euro 2016] in the summer.

"Both ourselves and his club will have Gareth's best interests at heart. It's important that the injury fully heals and he doesn't come back too early."

Bale has scored 13 goals in 15 league appearances for Madrid this season, including a hat-trick in Zidane's first game as club boss against Deportivo La Coruna.

Meanwhile, Real full-back Marcelo has made a faster-than-expected recovery from a dislocated shoulder and is expected to start against Roma on 17 February.

The Brazil international, who sat out the 4-2 league win over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, has been included in the 20-man squad travelling to the Italian capital.