Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward back in training ahead of Juve tie

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Gareth Bale was injured early in Real's 3-1 win over Malaga in La Liga on 18 April

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale is on course to play in next week's Champions League semi-final first leg against Juventus.

The forward, 25, has been out for 10 days with a calf injury but is expected to resume full training this week.

The Welshman hopes to play a part in Saturday's La Liga match at Sevilla.

"Gareth is doing work on his own and will do the same tomorrow," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday. "If all goes well, then he will begin to train with the team again on Thursday."

Ancelotti, whose side entertain relegation-threatened Almeria on Wednesday, also hopes to welcome back Karim Benzema for next Tuesday's first leg in Turin.

The France striker was injured in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid earlier this month and is expected to be back in training on Sunday.

Bale and Benzema's likely returns will boost Real ahead of what Ancelotti described as a "life and death" period.

Aside from their European commitments, Real are also battling Barcelona for the Spanish title and trail the league leaders by two points with five games to play.

"We have a tough calendar, the matches are very difficult. But we have confidence we can play well because the team is in good shape, it's fresh and can compete in all the games," he said.

"It's a time of the season when all the games are life and death for every team."

Wales also have a crunch match at the end of the season against Euro 2016 Group B rivals Belgium on 12 June at Cardiff City Stadium.

Both countries are unbeaten with Belgium top on goal difference, halfway through the qualifiers.

Bale is seen as vital to Welsh hopes of qualifying for the finals in France, scoring twice in his country's 3-0 win against Israel in March.