Gareth Bale facing surgery for ankle injury

Gareth Bale is to undergo surgery on the ankle injury he suffered during Tuesday’s Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid have announced.

The Wales international was replaced just before the hour mark during the 2-1 victory in Portugal and tests on Wednesday revealed he had suffered damage to his peroneal tendons.

Real have now announced the 27-year-old will go under the knife in London next Tuesday.

The European champions have not said how long they expect Bale to be sidelined for, but reports in Spain suggest he could be out for up to three months.

A Madrid statement read: “Real Madrid’s medical services have decided that Gareth Bale will undergo surgery as a result of the peroneal tendon injury in his right ankle.

“This operation will take place at the King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday, November 29 by Dr James Calder, under the supervision of the club doctors Jesus Olmo and Mikel Aramberri.”

Bale now seems certain to be sidelined for the remainder of 2016 at the very least, meaning he will miss El Clasico against Barcelona on December 3 and the Champions League showdown against Borussia Dortmund four days later, which Real need to win to finish top of Group F ahead of the German side.

Bale, who has struggled with various injuries during his time in Spain, is also set to sit out the FIFA Club World Cup, which takes place in Japan between December 8-18.

Wales’ next scheduled match is the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on March 24.

Real are four points clear at the top of LaLiga and host Sporting Gijon this weekend.