Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists that Gareth Bale will always be important to the club as rumours of a potential summer exit continue to circulate.
The Wales international has been heavily linked with a move away from Spain, with a Premier League return on the cards.
Injury issues means Bale has started just 10 league matches this season and was left out of the starting XI for three of Real Madrid’s last four competitive outings.
However, while the 28-year-old is attracting interest from England, Zidane insists Bale has a role to play in the current setup.
"He will always be important in the team and is in the process of getting himself right,” Zidane is quoted as saying by the Sun.
"A player always misses out, I am not thinking of one or two but all the players.
"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 him to be 100 per cent 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."
Manchester United and Tottenham have both been linked with a move for Bale in recent months.
