Gareth Bale takes on 'the master' Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid winger steps up fitness bid

Gareth Bale showed boss boss Zinedine Zidane he was on his way to full fitness during a training session on Thursday.

The Real Madrid winger has been out of action since suffering a calf injury in the 5-1 victory over Sporting Gijon in January.

In that time Real have slipped down to third place in the La Liga, behind leaders Barcelona and cross-city rivals Atletico.

Bale recently returned to training and the Welshman was confident enough to take on French legend Zidane during a practice match.

Bale later posted a picture on Instagram with the message: 'Taking on the master.'

Real and Wales are cautious not to rush the former Tottenham winger back from injury too soon.

Gareth Bale wrote on Twitter that it 'feels good' to be back training with Real Madrid after a lengthy absence

Bale has been sidelined by a calf injury since January, missing seven games as the side slipped to third place

Wales manager Chris Coleman says Gareth Bale might miss one or both of Wales' two Euro 2016 warm-up games in March. 

Wales face Northern Ireland and Ukraine on March 24 and 28 respectively, but Coleman says Bale will only play if fit - and will be guided the Spanish club.

'We will have to wait and see in the next week or two what happens,' said Coleman.

'And if he is not available, he is not available. He has had a bit of a time of it with Madrid, in terms of injury, a bit stop-start.

'But Real Madrid have been so good with us in terms of how they have treated us.

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has received a major boost with the return to full training of the Wales winger

Cristiano Ronaldo was in a lighter mood alongside team-mates James Rodriguez and Casemiro at training