Former England international Gary Lineker has advised Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale not to return from injury too quickly.

A combination of complaints have limited Bale, who joined Los Blancos from Tottenham Hotspur in August for £86m, to just two appearances for his new club.

The Spanish outfit confirmed yesterday that a thigh problem has ruled the Welsh international out of tonight's Champions League meeting with Copenhagen, and Lineker believes that Bale should be in no hurry to return.

"Tough start for Gareth Bale at Real Madrid with injuries. Needs to get himself fully fit now before returning, however great the urge to play," he wrote on Twitter. "It's admirable that players are desperate to perform, but the long term consequences of premature comebacks can be hugely destructive."

Bale has scored one goal from his two outings for Madrid.