I'm ready for battle! Man Utd target Bale fires warning to Barcelona ahead of El Clasico

Real host La Liga leaders and champions Barcelona on Saturday with key man Bale confident he is back to full fitness.

The Wales international has been plagued by niggling muscle injuries since moving to Spain in 2013 but said he was ready again to put his ‘strength and speed’ on show at the Bernabeu.

Bale, who has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United, sustained the injury during Real’s home win over Levante in October and missed four matches before returning for the 3-2 defeat at Sevilla in their last outing.

"I haven't had a chance to play much this season," the 26-year-old told Real's website.

"Nowhere near as much as I would have liked anyway, but I'm feeling strong and fit for this game.

"I'm ready for battle. I want to keep trying to give my best, to work hard and to help the team win."

Real surrendered top spot to Barca after losing to Sevilla and another defeat on Saturday will see them drop six points behind their arch rivals after 12 games.

SUPERSTAR: Bale in action

Atletico Madrid, the 2014 champions, are a point behind Real in third ahead of their match at Real Betis on Sunday.

Bale noted that Real, who replaced coach Carlo Ancelotti with Rafa Benitez at the end of last season, have lost only one match this term but said there was "some room for improvement".

"We could still be better, play better, and I'm hoping that, as the season goes on, our form continues to improve and that leads us to winning La Liga," Bale said.

GEARING UP: Bale in training

"I'm certain you'll see an attacking game from both teams and it makes sense that the team that scores a lot of goals will win.

"I'm hoping they don't score many.

"It will be an even contest, it's always tough against them, but fingers crossed we're able to get more goals than them."