This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted that Gareth Bale is back in his plans ahead of the team's opening La Liga game against Celta Vigo on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
Eden Hazard sustained a thigh injury in training on Friday, which has led Zidane to consider starting Bale in the game.
"It looked like he was leaving and now he's here with us, that's it," Zidane said in a press conference.
"The dynamic changes and things change and now I'm going to count on him like everyone else. I said it a short time ago, I'm going to count on all the players that are here."
Despite a turbulent summer for the Welshman, Bale is eager to stay at Madrid, where he has a contract until 2022, and is not interested in moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
"He has a contract, he's an important player and I hope all the players want to make it difficult for me to pick the team," Zidane added.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard is expected to be out for three to four weeks, joining Ferland Mendy and Marco Asensio on the sidelines.
