Coleman warns over Bale fitness

  • Wales
Bale recently signed for the Spanish club for a record £86m Credit: PA

Wales manager Chris Coleman has told Real Madrid it may take until 2014 for Gareth Bale to start producing his best form for the Spanish club.

The 24-year-old forward has made just three appearances for the Bernabeu club since completing his world-record £86million move from Tottenham in August.

Bale is currently sidelined with a back injury, and earlier this week Madrid denied a newspaper report that the Welshman had suffered a slipped disc and required surgery.

Bale joined Real Madrid on a 6 year deal Credit: PA

Coleman believes Bale's lack of a proper pre-season is a reason for his injury-troubled start to life at Real, and believes it will take some time for him to produce the sort of barnstorming performances which were his trademark in the Premier League.

"Anyone who plays top level professional football and you don't have a pre-season, if you expect to start any game, you are bonkers, crackers. It doesn't happen," he said.

Coleman warns that Bale may not be on top form until after Christmas Credit: PA

He said: "You are always playing catch-up so I wouldn't be surprised if it's after Christmas before we see Gareth getting into it again.

"It may take him some time. He's in a new environment that he needs to get used to and he's playing catch-up all the time.

"I hope it's not serious but it may be some time before we see Gareth doing what he is capable of."

Coleman and Bale shake hands after Wales game Credit: PA

But Coleman dismissed suggestions Bale has been carrying a back injury for some time.

He said: "There's been no problem with his back with Wales - I think he missed the Olympics with his back and our friendly against Mexico that summer. But he's never complained about his back with us."