Gareth Bale appeared to be heading for the exit in the summer - with a £1m a week contract with Jiangsu Suning on the table - after his relationship with Zinedine Zidane hit rock bottom.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: They have shared 15 trophies with Real Madrid, yet on Sunday Gareth Bale and Luka Modric will resume their hunt for the prize they crave just as much.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: Gareth Bale had Wales daring to dream of a Euro 2020 place, on a night when Daniel James suffered a sickening blow to the head.

Real Madrid's Modric, who lined up against Bale for Croatia on Sunday, has emphasised his team-mate's importance to the La Liga giants and is eager for him to remain at the club.

The football advisory panel and technical advisory panel of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will meet in Zurich on October 23. The agenda for the meeting was released on Tuesday.

The scoreline was perhaps flattering to Italy, as Group J basement boys Liechtenstein put up quite a fight, going perilously close to scoring several times through Dennis Salanovic.

The Welshman looked set to leave in the summer following interest from the Chinese Super League but while a move collapsed, reports in Spain say his team will make an effort to leave in January.

Gareth Bale faces a race against time to prove he is fully fit for Wales' decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers later this month. The Real Madrid forward has not played since Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia.

A calf injury has ruled him out of Real's last four games in all competitions, and he won't feature at home to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, according to Real manager Zidane.

Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for the decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary despite a calf problem. He has not played since October 13.

Ryan Giggs has criticised brain injury charity Headway for questioning Wales' medical department following an apparent concussion incident involving winger Daniel James.

The 30-year-old has not featured for the La Liga giants since Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia on October 13 due to a calf injury. But Bale was included in the Wales squad this week.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has revealed that the pair are not ready to feature for Real Madrid in their clash against Eibar on Saturday evening.

Gareth Bale trained with the Wales squad ahead of their decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary. Real Madrid star Bale has not played since suffering a calf injury.

Wales defender Ben Davies confirmed Bale completed Tuesday's session in its entirety and he now seems certain to start against Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday, despite missing the past month.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: The Wigan forward is expected to lead the line for Ryan Giggs' side in the Euro 2020 qualifier against Azerbaijan on Saturday.

The UEFA-appointed female translator was removed following the bizarre question with concerns that she didn't possess the knowledge or experience, according to The Sun.

Gareth Bale heads into Wales' decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers admitting he is more excited to play for his country than Real Madrid. Bale has been at the centre of a Spanish media storm.

Wales face Azerbaijan on Saturday afternoon knowing that nothing less than victroy can keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2020. Follow the action here with KIERAN JACKSON.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN BAKU: Wales comfortably beat Azerbaijan in their penultimate Euro 2020 qualification match to set up an almighty showdown against Hungary in Cardiff.

Gareth Bale believes Wales reaching the European Championship next summer could trump the achievement of playing at Euro 2016. Wales ended a 58-year wait in 2016.

Gareth Bale poked fun at Aaron Ramsey's lack of game time in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after his double against Hungary booked their spot at next year's tournament.

Gareth Bale risked further upsetting the Real Madrid hierarchy as he danced with a Welsh flag bearing the lyrics to the song 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order'.

The forward posed with a flag with the words 'Wales, golf, Madrid... in that order' on it after securing Euro 2020 qualification on Tuesday night after fans sang a song with those lyrics.

The Wales star helped his country qualify for next summer's European Championships during the international break, and was snapped with the contentious flag while celebrating.

PETE JENSON IN MADRID: Gareth Bale was back in training for Real Madrid on the day Marca's front page accused him of being: 'irresponsible, wrong, ungrateful. In that order.'

The Spanish media are still raging over Gareth Bale's celebrations this week where he appeared to mock Real Madrid with a banner unfurled after his country had booked their place at Euro 2020.

Bale posed with a flag with the words 'Wales, golf, Madrid... in that order' on it after Wales secured Euro 2020 qualification last week. His celebrations have led to controversy in Spain.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: Wales fans face a nightmare odyssey across Europe - including three separate trips to Baku - if they repeat Euro 2016 and reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

Gareth Bale has recently been criticised back in Madrid for showing more interest in golf than football and arranges rounds during time off when on duty with Wales.

On Wednesday night, Zinedine Zidane's side enjoyed a break from their arduous schedule by hitting the town and going out for a squad meal to celebrate Christmas.

The Football Association of Wales could lose money at Euro 2020 after being drawn to play fixtures in Azerbaijan, its chief executive Jonathan Ford has warned.

Euro 2020 is nearly upon us for another month-long period of footballing drama - but this year there's a very big twist to it. This summer's tournament will be spread across 12 host cities across the continent.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has attempted to recreate his iconic Champions League final goal in his living room to raise money for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Bale has long been loathed by Madrid supporters and targeted as a scapegoat when the Spanish giants underperform, with Bale nearing the exit door this summer.

The Hammers as well as Everton had shown interest in the Barcelona striker who only arrived at the Nou Camp in February for £15m in a controversial emergency signing approved by La Liga.

Baseball's London Series has become the latest victim of the coronavirus pandemic after Major League Baseball cancelled this summer's event at West Ham's London Stadium.

Former Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham forward Carlos Tevez believes top-flight footballers should offer to cut their wages during the coronavirus crisis. 

West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell admits he is 'petrified' for his new-born's well-being if the Premier League resumes sooner rather than later due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nunez, who would bring a youthful presence to the Gunners' defence at the age of 23, has a release clause of £26.45million and, according to La Razon, the Gunners are prepared to meet it.

Kieran Maguire , a university lecturer on football finance, has detailed exactly how much each club currently owe on players they have bought, with United a massive £85.6m in front of the rest.

The majority of clubs are still far from shaking hands on deferral deals as talks between executives and their players continued on Thursday night after Saints players agreed a 10 per cent wage deferral.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: Sky Sports' owners Comcast have begun negotiations over extending NBC's contract to show Premier League matches in the United States.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make an impact at the London Stadium after opting to turn down a contract extension with the Gunners, but is hopeful of turning his career around.

An ongoing stand-off between players, the PFA and the Premier League has seen an agreement still to be reached and captains were said to have gone 'ballistic' by the league's public statement.

Reece James has posted a picture of himself and other Premier League stars during their time in Chelsea's academy. The right back has been reflecting on his journey to the first team.

David Moyes has revealed that he will always regret leaving Everton for Manchester United. After eleven years at Goodison Park, Moyes was appointed as United manager in 2013.

The Frenchman recently responded to one of his most vocal critics in an interview with United's podcast where he claimed: 'I didn't even know who he [Souness] was.'

During the sporting lockdown, replays, throwbacks and charity auctions have taken on unprecedented importance as fans look to fill the void left by live action. 

The 56-year-old West Ham manager says the extortionate sums spent on transfers, player wages and agent fees are three areas which may require addressing.