Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane maintains that there is no bad blood between him and Gareth Bale, despite the Welsh star saying that he plans to see out his contract at Santiago Bernabeu.
The 30-year-old has suffered another injury-struck season and continues to play a minor role under Zidane since the Frenchman returned for his second stint as Real Madrid manager.
But Bale did not move away from the Spanish giants in the January window despite links with a move back to Tottenham Hotspur and his agent, Jonathan Barnett, insists that Bale will see out his contract after a move to China was .
"I have no issue with that, none whatsoever," Zidane said of Bale seeing out his contract, which runs until the summer of 2022.
"He has a contract and he wants to stay here.
"We talk regularly but I am not going to tell you what I tell my players. We know what Gareth Bale can bring. He has to be fit and ready to do that.”
Asked whether he had a lack of respect for Bale after leaving him out of the squad for the 4-3 Copa del Rey quarter-final defeat on Thursday, Zidane responded: "I don't think so
"There are times when he isn't named in the squad but I wouldn't read too much into it.
"Everyone has a role and Gareth is a player I will need between now and the end of the season.”
And the 47-year-old added: "I am happy with him, I know the answer you're looking for but there are no issues or problems. The most important thing is he is here, working hard and he wants to train."
Bale has scored only three goals this season and is without a league goal since September.
Regardless, Real Madrid are currently three points clear at the top of La Liga.
Los Blancos lock horns with Manchester City over two legs in the Champions League last 16, with the first leg taking place in Madrid on 26 February.
