WALES HAVE RECEIVED A major boost with news that Gareth Bale has returned to training earlier than scheduled.

The Real Madrid star has been sidelined since picking up an ankle injury in the 2-1 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League last November and he was expected to be out for up to four months.

Surgery to repair the damage put his participation in the massive World Cup 2018 qualifier against Ireland on 24 March in some doubt.

However, 27-year-old Bale is back training with his club and Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has targeted the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Napoli as a possible comeback date.

He is now expected to be fully fit for the Dragons’ trip to Dublin.

Ireland sit top of Group D with ten points from their opening four matches, while Wales are four points back in third place.

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