GARETH Bale will have to rely on his Real Madrid teammates earning him a return to Cardiff for the Champions League final after scans revealed a tear to his left calf.

The 27-year-old Wales star lasted just 35 minutes of Sunday's El Clasico defeat to Barcelona before limping off the Bernabeu pitch.

That is likely to rule the winger out of the Champions League semi-final against city rivals Atletico, with the first leg taking place next Tuesday at Real's home and the return the following Wednesday at the Vicente Calderón.

A short statement from Madrid confirmed the extent of Bale's injury, saying: "Following the tests carried out on Gareth Bale by the Sanitas Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with a grade two injury in his left calf. His recovery will continue to be assessed."

Reports in Spain say Bale is now facing three weeks on the sidelines, which would rule him out of both legs of the Champions League tie as well as LaLiga fixtures against Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia and Granada.

It is the latest blow in what has been a frustrating campaign for the former Tottenham man, who has been struck down by several injuries, including a three-month lay-off earlier this season with an ankle problem.

Bale has won the Champions League twice with Real in 2014 and 2016.

He is suspended for Wales' next World Cup qualifier against Serbia on June 11 having picked up a yellow card in draw against the Republic of Ireland, his second booking of the qualifying campaign.