REAL MADRID BOSS Zinedine Zidane says he hopes to have Gareth Bale available for his side’s Champions League last-16 tie with Napoli on 7 March.

This means the Welsh winger will almost certainly be available for his country’s World Cup qualifier with Ireland in the Aviva Stadium on 24 March.

Bale has been out of action since November when he underwent surgery on an ankle tendon he damaged during Madrid’s Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon.

But, ahead of Los Blancos’ trip to Osasuna this weekend, Zidane confirmed his return was imminent:

“I hope that Bale is back with us before the return leg against Napoli. He still has to return to team training, which is the most important thing.

“He’s fine. He’s working very well and looks determined.”

Ireland currently sit four points ahead of Wales at the top of Group D and win for the hosts would substantially boss their chances of qualification for Russia 2018.

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