Gareth Bale out for up to four months with ankle injury

Updated 24/11/2016 at 12:42 GMT

Real Madrid have been dealt a huge blow with the news that forward Gareth Bale has been ruled out for up to four months.

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale grimaces as he lies on the pitch during the UEFA Champions League football match Sporting CP vs Real Madrid CF

Image credit: AFP

The 27-year-old suffered the injury during the 2-1 victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday and when he was sent for scans the initial fear was that he might miss the Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday.

However, the injury has been ruled to be far more serious and Real released a statement confirming that he would undergo surgery in London on Tuesday, adding that Bale had been "diagnosed with a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons of his right ankle."

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This is believed to keep him out for up to four months.

Bale initially tried to carry on playing when he suffered the injury but he broke down again and had to be taken off.

Race to be fit for Wales

The Welshman, who has scored seven goals this season in all competitions, will now face a race to be fit for the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland as well as the Champions League knock-out stages.