Bale gutted

> Madrid striker ruled out of clash with former team Tottenham

REAL MADRID winger Gareth Bale (caricature) has told friends that he is “gutted” to be missing Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Tottenham tomorrow morning, according to reports.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are level on points with Spurs as they head to Wembley to kick-start the season half of group matches.

Spurs and Real have both picked up seven points from three Group H games.

In the reverse fixture two weeks ago, Mauricio Pochettinho’s men put in a magnificent performance to earn a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeau.

Real will be looking to bounce back from a shock 2-1 defeat to La Liga minnows Girona on Sunday.

The result left Zinedine Zidane’s team eight points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona – a deficit they have never overcome to win the Spanish title.

And after that loss Zidane claimed that he was unsure if he would have Bale back ahead of the trip to London.

“We will need to assess him and then make a decision,” Zidane said.

But the Independent are claiming that they have spoken to a friend of the Welshman, who claims he is “gutted” to be missing the match against his former side.

Bale has been ruled out for over a month with a recurring calf injury, much to the frustration of Madrid supporters.

The report suggests that the 28-year-old has “no chance” of playing in midweek, but he could return when

take on Atletico Madrid in two weeks time. Bale’s injury concerns have thrown his future in the Spanish capital up in the air.

Manchester United were reportedly keen to take the winger in the summer but a formal offer failed to materialise.

And if he continues to struggle through injury then his days at the Bernabeu could be numbered.

A victory for either side would guarantee a spot in the last 16, although Tottenham are winless against Real in five previous meetings.

Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful Harry Kane will be fit for the visit of the European champions to Wembley after missing Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Manchester United. – Express Sport