Athletic vs Real Madrid Calf problems crops up for winger

A fresh setback for Gareth Bale has Zinedine Zidane hoping for a speedy return for the Welshman, but the Real Madrid coach admits he hasn't set a timeframe on the new injury.

Heading to face Athletic Club on Saturday evening, Real will be without Bale and the situation is an annoying one for Zidane to deal with once again.

"I don't think it's a mental problem, it's a small issue, a nuisance, but since he's been out a long time it's complicated," Zidane told the assembled media on Friday.

"I hope it's just a physical issue and that it's just annoying. It's a problem with his calf and we don't want to risk it.

"It all depends on him, I cannot give a return date. I hope it's next week."

Both Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla have enjoyed mixed spells this season but the coach's support for his Costa Rican No. 1 remains unwavering amid talk of Kepa Arrizabalaga's arrival.

"I have always had the best goalkeepers, and for me Keylor is the best," Zidane asserted. "Without any doubt I will always support Keylor, Kiko and those who are at the club.

"Kepa is a very good goalkeeper, but he is not my goalkeeper."

The coach insisted that his focus is on the games before the turn of the year with Mauro Icardi another man touted for a switch to Madrid.

"We have not talked about it," claimed Zidane.

"I have not asked for anyone, first we must play our matches and, when the market opens, we will talk."

Los Blancos' stars are to come back into the team following the midweek draw with Fuenlabrada and Zidane is confident that everyone is heading in the right direction ahead of a tricky tie with Athletic Club.

"We have now strung three or four good performances together," he added.

"We know we have very interesting matches ahead and this month is going to be important before we come back in January.

"We have to live up to what we demand from ourselves. We expect a difficult game, we know the stadium and the team, we are prepared for a good performance.

"It has been a very good week and we are going to go and play with the same plan as always."