Xabi Alonso brands Gareth Bale's rise "meteoric"

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has branded Gareth Bale's rise in the last two years "meteoric".

Bale has struggled with injury since joining Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, but is expected to make his Bernabeu debut this weekend against Malaga.

"When he started in the Premier I was playing there and he was a wing-back," he told AS.

"His rise in two years has been meteoric, his position has moved forward and I'm sure he'll be showing the form he had in the Premier in a few games."

Alonso is currently on the sidelines with a groin injury.