Gareth Bale looking to kick-start injury-disrupted season as Real Madrid prepare for latest El Clasico clash with rivals Barcelona

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Gareth Bale has struggled for consistency due to injury this season
Real Madrid host Barcelona in hotly-anticipated El Clasico on Saturday
Welsh forward made name in Spain with wonder goal against Barcelona
While Bale has struggled, Luis Suarez has been influential for Barca

Published: 17:31 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 19:56 EST, 20 November 2015

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During the first few weeks of Leo Messi’s recent recovery from injury Luis Suarez drove him to training every morning.

It’s hard to picture Gareth Bale car-pooling with Cristiano Ronaldo if the latter had torn ligaments in his left knee — the relationship just isn’t the same.

Suarez knew when to pick up Messi each morning because the two are in the same WhatsApp group.

Gareth Bale tussles for the ball with Raphael Varane during Real Madrid training ahead of El Clasico

The Welsh forward has struggled with injury this season but missed international break to train with his club

When Bale was asked if he had received congratulatory text messages after spearheading Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016 he made the startling admission that many of his clubmates didn’t have his telephone number.

Suarez and Bale face each other in tonight’s Clasico with plenty in common — both left the Premier League after being voted Footballer of the Year and won the Champions League in their first season.

But they have not adapted the same way and they seem to be in very different places now — the Uruguayan has his feet under the table while the Welshman is still unsure if he’s coming or going.

While Bale is struggling at Real, Luis Suarez has been instrumental to Barcelona's strong start to the season

Of the 35 goals Barcelona have scored while Suarez has been on the pitch this season, 22 of them have had something to do with the former Liverpool forward.

He has scored 13 of them and when he hasn’t applied the finishing touch he has given the assist or won the free-kick leading to the goal. He has missed only two games.

Bale, in contrast, admitted this week: ‘I’ve not played as much football as I would have liked this season.’

Suarez and Neymar have been prolific in the absence of Lionel Messi, who could return on Saturday

He broke down in the Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk in September and missed four games.

He came back just in time for international duty to play two full 90 minutes for Wales and then got injured again, missing a further four Real Madrid matches.

His decision last week not to join up with Wales to concentrate on this game has appeased many at the club who were upset by what they saw as skewed priorities.

Bale insists he feels strong and fit as he looks to kick-start his season after a slow start thanks to injury

‘I feel strong and fit,’ he said. ‘My pace and power scares a lot of defenders which gives us a bonus.’

That pace and power was never more evident than in the 2014 Spanish Cup final when he sprinted from the halfway line to score a dramatic late winner against Barcelona.

More of the same on Saturday could transform his Madrid career — a no-show will encourage Manchester United in their bid to bring him home.

Suarez, in contrast, looks to have found the place where he belongs.