Zinedine Zidane claims that Gareth Bale remains an important player in the team despite the fact he is no longer an automatic starter for Real Madrid and the club are believed to be ready to off-load him in the summer.
The Welshman started on the bench in the crunch Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the Bernabeu and also in the mid-week game against Leganes where he failed to impress when he came on but Zidane denies that there is a problem with the player.
"He will always be important in the team and is in the process of getting himself right. A player always misses out, I am not thinking of one or two but all the players," Zidane told a press conference ahead of the game against Alaves.
"I know that some players are not of interest to you but there are those that train each day, hardly ever play and I am interested in them. I see Bale like all of them and I count on all of them.
"The important thing is that they train well and focused. I want hm to be 100% and I do not want to lose him again. A lot of things are important and there is a lot also under the surface but I am sure that he will go on to play an important role."
Bale did not appear happy at being a substitute against Leganes and Ceballos was also visibly irritated at being sent on for just the final 29 second of the game.
"I felt bad and I am very sorry," said Zidane. "I told him and I do not like to put on a player for 30 seconds for nothing. He has not had many minutes and keeps working, he is fantastic and I remember the game against Alaves when he scored two goals."
Real have so far had a disappointing season and all is riding on whether they can knock out PSG but Zidane pointed to their strong scoring form of late.
"It is clear that we have character, personality and to score 26 goals in six games is very good. We want to continue this good run," he added.

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