Real Madrid's Gareth Bale out of action for a month longer than expected - reports

Though the 27-year-old was expected to miss two to three months with a peroneal tendon injury, which he picked up against Sporting Lisbon last week, AS reports his absence could be for a significantly longer period, citing up to four months.

Bale underwent surgery on his damaged ankle in London on Tuesday, which apparently revealed the injury to be greater than initially anticipated.

If Bale's recovery time takes as long as is now expected he would also miss out on international duty - which could be hugely problematic for Wales - as well as missing a large portion of the La Liga season.

Wales' next qualifier for the 2018 World Cup is in March next year and manager Chris Coleman will be keen to have his talismanic forward – who finished third in the Euro 2016 player chart – back in action by then.