MADRID • Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale underwent an operation on Tuesday in London on his injured ankle that will likely see him ruled out of action for two months.
"Our player Gareth Bale has successfully come through the operation he underwent today after suffering an injury to the peroneal tendons in his right ankle," the Spanish football giants said in a statement.
"The operation was carried out at London's King Edward VII Hospital by Dr James Calder and Real Madrid Sanitas' Dr Mikel Aramberri, under the supervision of Dr Jesus Olmo, head of Real Madrid's medical department," it added.
Bale was forced off just before the hour mark of Real's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Nov 22, as the European champions secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for a record 20th consecutive season.
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15 Maximum number of matches Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale could be out for, including this week's El Clasico with Barcelona.
The Welshman was diagnosed with a "traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle". No time frame was given by the club for Bale's return to action but the Spanish media have reported that he would be out for at least two months.
It means that Bale will miss the rest of this year, the Club World Cup in Japan and probably the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie - possibly as many as 15 games.
The 27-year-old forward, who has scored seven goals and set up three more in 16 starts for Real in all competitions this season, will also sit out Saturday's El Clasico clash.
Zinedine Zidane's team are six points ahead of their nearest opponents Barcelona at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga table.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS