Madrid's Bale fit & ready to play against Malaga

MADRID (AP) Gareth Bale is fit and ready to play for Real Madrid as the club looks to improve on its recent lackluster showings for an eight-day stretch coach Carlo Ancelotti calls "very important," with games against Malaga, Juventus and fierce rival Barcelona.

Ancelotti said on Friday that "Bale is available" for Saturday's Spanish league game against Malaga with critical games against Juventus in the Champions League and the season's first clasico at Barcelona coming next weekend.

Ancelotti insisted Bale's disc bulge in his back is not the reason he has missed games this season, instead blaming his lack of preseason training that led to his left hamstring pull.

"(Bale) doesn't have a problem" with his back, Ancelotti said. "His problem it that he didn't have a preseason and he is not in good physical shape. I have three disc bulges and they never caused me trouble during my career. It's a normal problem, many players have it, but it doesn't affect their performance.

"I want to give him minutes because he needs to play."

Bale has played in three of a possible seven games for Madrid since his world record 100 million euro transfer from Tottenham at the close of this summer's transfer window.

Ancelotti said defender Raphael Varane will not play on Saturday due to injury while striker Karim Benzema was doubtful after picking up a knock during training.

Ancelotti also said he "needs to talk" with Iker Casillas after the Spain goalkeeper said he may consider leaving in the January transfer market if he doesn't play more.

"Casillas is a great goalkeeper," Ancelotti said. "In the future I hope he will be here because he is an important player for the team's spirit."

Casillas lost his starting job last season under former coach Jose Mourinho. Ancelotti has limited him to playing in the Champions League while Diego Lopez plays in the Spanish league.