Real Madrid have confirmed on their official website that Gareth Bale has suffered a hip injury, placing him in doubt for this week's Champions League match versus Liverpool and the Liga game against Barcelona at the weekend.

Bale was left on the bench during Madrid 's 5-0 win over Levante on Saturday and he now looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

"After Gareth Bale was tested by Real Madrid's Sanitas health services, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the right piriformis muscle," a club statement reads.

Bale has developed into a key figure at Madrid since joining the Santiago Bernabeu side from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013.

The Welshman netted 22 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions last term, including one in the 4-1 Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.

He has scored five goals in 12 games so far in 2014-15.

The expected absence of Bale against Liverpool and Barcelona means Isco is likely to get the nod again in Madrid's next two games. The ex-Malaga man featured from the start against Levante at the weekend, scoring once and setting up another.