Monday, 18th November, 2013
Wales manager Chris Coleman has revealed that several of the country's backroom staff are to head to Real Madrid in the coming weeks to hold discussions over how to handle Gareth Bale and to "build bridges" between the two organisations.
Bale made a world-record move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid in the summer, but has seen his impact at the Bernabeu restricted by injury niggles.
The Wales international did play for his country in their friendly against Finland on Saturday, but Coleman is eager to improve communication between Wales and Real Madrid in order to jointly plot the best course for Bale.
And that may include Bale not playing in several friendlies.
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Coleman was quoted as saying by the BBC: "If Bale's fighting fit then great, we expect him to be here. If he's fatigued, we might rest him.
"But he's playing a lot of games in Madrid. We have to look at it long-term as well. As much as we need him, we need to look after him."
Looking after Bale also means opening the channels of communication to Real Madrid and that is something Coleman is well advanced with.
"I spoke with Gareth on Friday. We are going to go over and speak with their whole staff to bring ourselves closer to Madrid", the manager explained.
"We have to build bridges. We need them with us.
"They have to know and be comfortable that when he comes with us, we know what we are doing with how we prepare because he has a special programme in Madrid regarding his rehabilitation.
"They have to feel comfortable that when he's with us we are doing everything to send him back in one piece."
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