Zinedine Zidane calls for players to show flexibility to fill void left by Gareth Bale

After it is confirmed that Gareth Bale will be out for a significant period of time. Zidane feels the available players should show some versatility to fill up the void left by Gareth Bale's unprecedented injury.

Real Madrid are the current LaLiga toppers and head to Camp Nou for the first El Clasico of the season next weekend.

And Zidane believes it's time, the depth of squad will be tested. With players like Kroos and Morata still on the sidelines, Los Blancos are given some boost as Casemiro and Pepe are back in training and available to play this Saturday against Sporting Gijon.

"It's quite hard to see those injured players miss out," said Zidane, whose LaLiga leaders travel to Barcelona for the first Clasico of the season next weekend. "We do everything in our power, but sometimes that is not enough. Things happen when you play.

"We know we are doing things well. It is upsetting when you see a player out injured – our latest injury for example, Gareth Bale. He is going to be out for quiet a while.

"We are going to maintain our focus on Saturday's game, which is a tough game after two demanding outings.

"Sometimes you may think we might change formations or what our plans are, but we have a set idea and a lot of versatile footballer who can play in many positions That's the benefit of having great players." 

Zidane was asked whether delaying Bale's surgery until after El Clasico was a possibility and he confirmed taking such a risk was never realistically on the table.

"We looked at all the options, we spoke to all the best doctors and they all agreed," he explained.

Following the controversy around James Rodriguez's alleged bad behaviour after being left out on the bench against Sporting CP midweek, Zidane was asked if he would leave the club if he were in his shoes,

Zidane replied: "No, what a question.

"It's not true that he's not playing at all. I'd stay here at the club, a great club, and he will play."

Zidane added: "A player of his standing, of course he wants to play more, but it is down to me to decide.

"I know he is going to be an important player for Real Madrid. He hasn't been playing recently because others have come in and done a very good job.

"There's not much more to say – you look at the rest of the footballers and they are playing very well too, but James is a key player."

The Frenchman tried clearing the cloud over James Rodriguez's move away from Santiago Bernabeu and says he will get time to play.

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