Gareth Bale's hernia means the Real Madrid medical staff need to tread carefully. The gap between the lumbar (L5-S1) and Bale's strong musculature, both in the abdominal area and the back, mean the player does not feel discomfort at the moment. However, the medical staff are working meticulously with the Welshman in order to avoid worsening the injury, which could force him into surgery, following in the footsteps of Altintop and Higuaín.

The question is how long he can keep going in this condition. It could be months, years or even his whole career. It is practically impossible to estimate the evolution of Bale's injury.

Real Madrid hopes the player's hernia will not cause him problems, but the club is also well aware that a hernia and a protrusion like those suffered by Bale pose a risk when playing two games per week.

The winger knows the extent of his injury and that he has to keep working on the abdominal and dorsal area to the maximum if he wants to delay the onset of pain to the maximum.

However, it seems the Welshman's injury is not going to keep him out of action for the coming week. Bale continues to train at Valdebebas in order to be fit for the game against Málaga next Saturday and his only aim at the moment is to recover from his thigh injury and regain fitness.

Ancelotti believes he will have Bale at his disposal for the clash against Málaga and, perhaps more importantly, against Barcelona on 26th October.