When questioned on his scoring form, Cristiano Ronaldo reminds critics that they can find his goals on Google. Stewart Robson believes it's in Gareth Bale's best interest to step out of the shadows of Real Madrid's abundance of talent.
Gareth Bale has returned to Real Madrid training ahead of Sunday evening's La Liga game at home to Las Palmas.
Bale has not played for Madrid since picking up an injury during Madrid's 3-1 Champions League win at Borussia Dortmund in late September, with tests carried out when he joined up with Wales the following week finding a calf injury.
He missed both Champions League games against his former club Tottenham, including last Wednesday's 3-1 defeat at Wembley, which followed a 2-1 La Liga reverse at Girona last weekend.
Having gradually increased his workload at training over recent days, the 28-year-old took a full part in Friday's session.
Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal are also stepping up their recoveries, while Keylor Navas, Luca Zidane and Mateo Kovacic are still sidelined.
Gareth Bale's last appearance for Real Madrid came against Borussia Dortmund in September.
"The team have completed another training session at Real Madrid City as they continue preparations for this weekend's clash with UD Las Palmas (Sunday, 8:45pm CET)," a Madrid statement said.
"The biggest news was the return of Gareth Bale, who completed the full session with the rest of his teammates. Varane and Carvajal also joined in the first half with the group, before the right-back went on to complete a series of specific exercises out on the pitch. Navas, Luca and Kovacic continued with their respective recovery programs."
Meanwhile, former Madrid striker Mariano Diaz has said that he left the Bernabeu last summer after being advised by Zidane to seek out more regular football elsewhere.
Mariano hit his eighth goal in 13 games since joining Lyon from Madrid for €8 million last summer in his new club's 3-0 Europa League win over Everton on Thursday evening, having scored just one goal in eight La Liga appearances last term, when he was mainly used as a substitute.
"[Alvaro] Morata decided to leave," Mariano said on esRadio show "El Primer Palo." "I left too, as we spoke with the club, and we decided the best thing was to go and get more playing time elsewhere. I asked Zidane for advice, and he said it was better to go, with [Alexandre] Lacazette having left Lyon. If he had told me to stay, for sure I would have stayed."
The Dominican Republic international said that the loss to Tottenham at Wembley had been "sad" to see, but he pointed out the 2015 and 2016 Champions League winners were still well set to make the round of 16 this season again.
"It is something sad for Madrid, but the important thing is they are still up there to qualify, so I am happy for them," Mariano said. "Teams go on runs, better and worse. Now they are going through the worst, but they are a great team and will rebound quickly."
Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @dermotmcorrigan
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Source: espn.co.uk