Gareth Bale willnot be available for Real Madrid in their Champions League clash on Wednesday night, according to boss ZinedineZidane.
Bale returned to training last week for the first time since suffering an ankle injury against Sporting Lisbon in November, yet it appears the last 16 tie against Napoli has come too soon for the Welshman.
Good news for Real Madrid...
Gareth Bale taking part in training after almost three months out injured. #UCL pic.twitter.com/AMHSch3Eo8
As reported by the MailOnline, when asked about Bale, Zidane responded: "It's only the first week he's been training with us and he doesn't have any ankle pain, that's the most important thing.
'We'll see if he can be in the squad or if he'll be there at the weekend (against Espanyol in La Liga).
"At the same time, after two or three months out, we have to be very careful with Gareth," he added.
Despite Zidane's caution, the Real squadappear beexcited by the prospect ofBale returning to the side in the coming weeks,especially his former Tottenham teammate Luka Modric.
"We miss him and we want him to be back. He's strong and this (injury) doesn't affect him mentally. He's recovered in the best possible way," said the Croat.
Madrid will go into Wednesday night's first leg against Napoli hoping to reach the quarter final stage for the seventh time in as many years.
With Los Blancos out of the Copa del Rey and with aslight cushion over Barcelona in La Liga, Zidane's men will befully focusedon trying to add a twelfth Champions League title to the Real collection.
The side from the Spanish capital suffered a small blip in January but appear to have steadied the ship after winning their last two games.