Ankle injury rules Real Madrid star Gareth Bale out of blockbuster encounter with Barcelona

Madrid: Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale will miss his side`s blockbuster clash with Barcelona next weekend due to an ankle injury, Spanish media reported on Wednesday.

Bale was forced off just before the hour mark of Real`s 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday as the European champions secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for a record 20th consecutive season.

"Gareth Bale...has been diagnosed with a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle," Madrid said in a statement on Wednesday without stating how long Bale will be sidelined.

However, Madrid sports dailies Marca and AS both reported Bale has been ruled out for the clash at Barcelona`s Camp Nou on December 3 with AS suggesting the Welshman will be ruled out for three to four weeks.

Bale will almost certainly also to miss Borussia Dortmund`s visit to the Santiago Bernabeu on December 7 to decide top spot in Champions League Group F and also faces a race against time to be fit for the Club World Cup in Japan a week later.