Bale and Asensio to miss the Club World Cup?

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Temi: FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid, Kashima Antlers, Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio

The Real Madrid pair pulled out of Monday's training session.

Fears are growing in the camp of Real Madrid about the availability of Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio ahead of Wednesday's Club World Cup game. Los Blancos could be without the attacking pair when they come face-to-face with Kashima Antlers in the semi-finals – an encounter which will be a replay of the final of the 2016 edition of the intercontinental competition.

According to multiple reports, Marco Asensio was forced out of Monday's training session after picking up a muscle injury. Gareth Bale, who also traveled with the squad after missing Saturday's 1-0 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano, trained alone.

Karim Benzema, having picked up a knock to his ankle after netting the only goal in Saturday's victory, also trained with the rest of the squad at the club's Abu Dhabi base. However, it has been confirmed that both Nacho Hernandez and Mariano Diaz will be unavailable for the semi-final encounter as a result of injuries.

Midfielder Casemiro completed the full training session and could make the squad list for the clash with Antlers after being left out of the game against Rayo. The Brazilian successfully recovered from a sprained ankle injury which occured in the 4-2 win over Celta Vigo back in Novemeber.

In retrospect, this is the second year running that Gareth Bale is approaching the Club World Cup while recuperating an injury. In Real Madrid's final against Al Jazira back in 2017, the former Tottenham Hotspur star came on from the bench to score the winner in the 2-1 comeback victory.

Real Madrid is expected to provide an update on the statuses of Bale and Asensio on Tuesday.