Real Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale has suffered a muscle injury to his left soleus that will rule him out of Wednesday's big Champions League date with Atletico Madrid.
The Welshman had tests on the injury, suffered early in Saturday's Liga match against Malaga, on Monday morning and he is expected to be sidelined for between 2-3 weeks.
"Following tests carried out on Gareth Bale at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left soleus. His progress will be monitored," said a statement issued by Real Madrid.
Bale's absence for the visit of Diego Simeone's men will be a big blow for Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who already has midfielder Luka Modric missing through injury and left-back Marcelo absent through suspension.
Karim Benzema is also a doubt with various news outlets in Spain saying the Frenchman will not make the match and if he does he will be nowhere near 100 per cent.
Bale is set to miss some key matches with a crucial trip to Celta Vigo on Sunday night following Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg. Madrid then host Almeria and Bale will hope to return for either the trip to Sevilla or home match against Valencia.