Read Madrid star Gareth Bale out four months with ankle injury

Real Madrid striker Gareth Bale is set to undergo surgery on his ankle which should effectively keep him out of competition for at least four months, the club confirmed via a statement on Thursday.

Bale, who led Wales to a semi-finals berth in Euro 2016 earlier this year, injured his ankle during Real's 2-1 Champions League victory over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday. Early tests showed that the superstar striker, who recently signed a contract extension until 2022, suffered a tendon injury in his right ankle.

While there are conflicting reports about his injury layoff, the Daily Mail reported that the Welshman is expected to miss nearly four months of action and is scheduled to have surgery next Tuesday.

This comes as a major blow for Real, which is currently atop the La Liga standings, thanks largely to Bale's performances. Bale scored five goals in his first 11 games, continuing his best-ever year in the sport. Real are currently in second place behind Borussia Dortmund in Group F of the Champions League.

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Gareth Bale set to miss El Classico

Bale is set to miss the El Classico (the game against Barcelona) on Dec. 3 and is likely to miss Wales' critical World Cup 2018 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on March 24.

A statement from Real Madrid reads: "Medical Services Sanitas Real Madrid have decided surgery of our player Gareth Bale as a result of traumatic injury to the peroneal tendons in his right ankle. This intervention will take place at the King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday 29 November by Dr. James Calder, under the supervision of club doctors Jesus Olmo and Mikel Aramberri."

Alfonso del Corral, the renowned doctor who helped past Real stars cope with injuries, wants the club to consider all options with Bale. "There are two possible treatment options, conservative and surgical.

"It's not certain that a conservative treatment will be good in this case because if it didn't work, you would then have to opt for surgery. Three out of four doctors would recommend him undergoing surgery," Corral told Cadena Ser radio.

Stay tuned for the latest on Gareth Bale's injury.