Gareth Bale addresses claims he's lost muscle after 'skinny physique' pictures emerge

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has laughed off suggestions he has lost muscle mass after a picture emerged appearing to show him looking far leaner than usual.

Bale, 32, has only made a handful of La Liga appearances in what is proving to be another injury-struck season for Los Blancos.

The Wales talisman started the first three games of Carlo Ancelotti 's second reign at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring once, but he has been missing since late August with knee, calf and back injuries compounded by a bout of coronavirus.

Bale is closing in on a long-awaited return to action and was an unused substitute during the 2-2 draw with Elche in late January.

While little is known about his physical condition, the former Tottenham star seemed to be far leaner than usual in training pictures released last week.

One snap showed Bale jogging at Real Madrid's training ground and his legs appeared far less muscular than they did during last summer's pre-season.

The picture was widely shared on social media and news clearly got back to the player, who took to Instagram to allay fears he has not been training with enough rigour.

Bale posted another photo from the training session showing his legs looking typically toned and added a crying-laughing emoji to hammer home his point.

He may have the chance to prove his fitness to his critics on Thursday night as Los Blancos take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Ancelotti confirmed Bale could feature in the fixture alongside Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, who have been short of fitness, as well as Brazilian duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, who have just returned from World Cup qualifiers.

"It's possible they will be starters, Asensio also, who has recovered