Real Madrid have claimed that Gareth Bale will be "120% fit" for the game against Barcelona on October 26.

Bale has been the subject of a dispute between Los Blancos and Spain's media over the extent of the back injury he is currently nursing.

However, the Liga giants have moved to dispel fears that the Welshman's injury is a serious one.

"We are working so that he can play some minutes against Malaga, against Juventus a bit more and the objective is that he arrives at the Clasico at 120%," said Carlos Diez, chief of Medical Services Sanitas-Real Madrid to AS.

"There must be patience as he did not do a usual preseason. Most high level footballers have similar 'protrusions', which are only a real concern when there is a further clinical problem.

"We are developing a programme of preventative recuperation, with the idea that he feels protected and can avoid it getting more serious."

Madrid president Florentino Perez recently claimed that Bale will return against Malaga on Saturday.