Cristiano Ronaldo a doubt as Real Madrid prepare to host Athletic Bilbao

Cristiano Ronaldo is uncertain to play on Sunday as Real Madrid host Athletic Bilbao seeking points to catch up to runaway leaders Barcelona in La Liga.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo trains on Saturday in an attempt to get fit for Real's Sunday La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao. Juanjo Martin / EPA / October 4, 2014

Cristiano Ronaldo could be doubtful for Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The world player of the year suffered a painful kick to the back of the leg in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in Sofia.

Ronaldo, who scored and missed a penalty against the Bulgarian side, did not play a part in full training on Friday but did run alone as he looked to prove his fitness.

Gareth Bale also missed coach Carlo Ancelotti’s latest session for an unspecified reason but did train indoors.

A statement on the club website read: “Ancelotti placed an emphasis on working with the ball in a training session that saw Cristiano Ronaldo do running alone on the pitch at Ciudad Real Madrid.

“Bale and (Fabio) Coentrao did work indoors at Madrid’s training facilities, while Jese and (Sami) Khedira continue with their recovery processes.”

Real were given a scare in midweek as they fell behind early to Ludogorets and only secured victory, 2-1, with a 77th-minute strike from substitute Karim Benzema.

Their form domestically, however, has been impressive with 15 goals scored in the process of winning their last three games in succession.

Their recent record against Bilbao is also heavily in their favour.

Real have won their last nine games against the Basque outfit, scoring 33 goals and conceding nine.

They are fifth in the Spanish league ahead of this weekend’s action, four points behind leaders Barcelona, while Bilbao are 16th with just four points from their six games.

Athletic have also made a frustrating start in the Champions League and were beaten at Bate Borisov in midweek.

Coach Ernesto Valverde accepts it has been a difficult spell for his team.

Speaking after the 2-1 loss in Belarus, Valverde said: “Previously I wasn’t happy with our displays, but I was okay with our attitude. Now I’m concerned with both.

“We still have chances to progress out of the group, but it’s impossible with a display like this. This is a bad period for us.”

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Sevilla, coming off a 4-0 humiliation to Atletico Madrid last week, will host rock-bottom Deportivo la Coruna in a match that could help re-energise their push for a top-three place.

The club trail Atletico by a point, but can go two points clear of the champions who fell 3-1 to Valencia on Saturday.

Celta Vigo, in sixth and even on points with Real Madrid, will also host Villarreal. Celta Vigo haven’t been beaten in La Liga yet this season and have won their last two matches, while Villarreal have won only once in their last five.

Espanyol and Real Sociedad, in 14th and 15th, also get a chance against one another to partially revive flagging campaigns.

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