Gareth Bale is in danger of missing Wales’ crunch World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland after being ruled out for up to four months with an ankle injury.

The Real Madrid star will struggle to make the March 24 date after his club revealed the seriousness of the injury on Thursday.

Madrid have confirmed that Bale will undergo surgery on his ankle next week and he is expected to spend three or four months on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old Bale sustained the problem in Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, limping off shortly before the hour.

Madrid revealed on Wednesday that Bale had suffered “a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle”, and would be monitored.

And there was a further blow on Thursday as the European champions announced the problem would require surgery.

“The Real Madrid Sanitas Medical Services have decided that Gareth Bale will undergo an operation following the traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons of his right ankle,” a statement read.

“The operation will take place at King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday 29th November by doctor James Calder, under the supervision of the club doctors Jesus Olmo and Mikel Aramberri.”

Bale is certain to miss El Clasico against Barcelona on 3 December, as well as Madrid’s clash with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League four days later — a match which will decide the winners of Group F.