Gareth Bale: Wales 'not to blame' for injury - ex-Real Madrid chief

Image source, Huw Evans picture agency

Image caption, Gareth Bale scored Wales' second in the 2-0 win over Andorra in October

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says Gareth Bale nor Wales can be blamed for the forward's injury.

Bale will miss Real's Champions League game at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday with a recurrence of a calf injury.

The 26-year-old has been criticised in the Spanish media after he picked up the injury while playing for Wales against Andorra in October.

"There's no one to blame for that," Calderon said.

"There can be no doubt that the [Wales] coach Chris Coleman and the player decided to play because they thought he was fit.

"It was a very important moment for him and for Wales.

"Other teams have had the same problems with injuries in the national team and it's part of the game."

Bale played in Wales' Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Andorra in October after recovering from a calf injury.

The former Tottenham forward then returned to Real Madrid and started in the 3-0 win over Levante but came off at half-time.

He has subsequently missed his club's last three games and is a doubt for Wales' friendly against the Netherlands in Cardiff on Friday, 13 November.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Ramon Calderon was Real Madrid president between 2006 and 2009

Former Wales team-mate Danny Gabbidon believes the friendly will have come too early for Bale to play a part.

"That one might have come a little bit too quick for him this time," Gabbidon said.

"You always want your best players there and it's something Chris Coleman is just going to have to deal with.

"It is a chance to maybe to put other players in and experiment, maybe with a different formation."