Real Madrid: Gareth Bale ruled out of Granada clash

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale will miss the La Liga clash against Granada at the weekend as he continues to recover from a calf problem.

Bale, 26, suffered the injury during Real's 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon on 17 January.

A statement on the club's official website said Bale worked alone on his recovery on 4 February, virtually ruling him out for the trip to the Nuevo Los Carmenes.

Spanish daily AS reported that the Welshman could return in time for Real's next league assignment against Athletic Bilbao on 13 February.

Centre-back Pepe is also likely to miss the trip to Andalusia due to a foot injury.

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

Marca reported in January that the Madrid hierarchy were pleased with Bale's improved attitude and application this season and were keen to reward the Wales forward with a new contract.

The paper claimed that an improved contract would represent recognition of Bale's elevated standing in the dressing room, where he is seen as Cristiano Ronaldo's successor.

Bale joined Madrid on a six-year contract from Tottenham Hotspur for a world-record fee of €100.8m ($112.8m) in 2013 and has scored 41 goals in 73 league appearances.

'La Liga not over'

Madrid sit four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table in third place, with the Catalan giants having a game in hand.

Zidane insisted that the race for the league title was not over after the win over Espanyol on 31 January.

"The aim is to try and perform at the maximum level in every game and reach the end of the season with the chance to win La Liga," Zidane told Real's website.

"We know that we are trailing. We are four points behind, and that could rise to seven. It is difficult but we are doing our work and I expect a lot out of La Liga. It is not over yet."