Friday 17 February 2017 16:56, UK
Gareth Bale has offered his support to former team-mate Adam Smith as Bournemouth hold their mid-season training camp at Real Madrid's base.
Eddie Howe's Bournemouth side are spending a mid-season training camp at the La Liga giants' complex in Madrid, with the Cherries not due to play until February 25, when they take on Watford.
Bale has returned to training with Real Madrid following an ankle injury which has kept him out for three months and is in the squad to face Espanyol this weekend, but the Wales star has still been paying close attention to Bournemouth, according to Cherries defender and former Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Smith.
"I saw Gareth Bale yesterday and had a proper chat with him today," Smith told Bournemouth's official website. "He was saying he's been following our progress and that he watched our recent game against Manchester City. He thought we were a bit unlucky on the night.
"We had a good laugh together after our session. It was nice to catch up with him as he is someone I got on well with when we were together at Tottenham."
Bournemouth's 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City was their third-straight defeat in the Premier League, with Howe's side dropping to 14th in the top flight.
Smith has taken inspiration from training alongside 11-time Champions League winners Real Madrid though, and believes Bournemouth should be looking to reach the same standards as their training ground hosts.
"It's a great experience being able to train at Real Madrid," he said. "It gives you an insight in to how some of the world's best operate and that extra motivation to improve as an individual. This is the kind of level we have to aspire to.
"The facilities are top class here. We've been fortunate enough to make use of the gym and pitch and everyone feels a bit fresher after trips like this.
"The sun has been out for today's session [Friday] and it has been useful for the lads to get away. It's a nice change of scenery and good for the lads to bond together.
"It's a long season and going to train at the same place every day can get a bit repetitive. Out here we've also got no choice but to spend time with each, which is a good thing.
"We went out as a squad, both players and backroom staff, for a meal last night [Thursday]. It's all a bit of a team bonding exercise and that will certainly help us.
"I've done things very similar to this at other clubs and it can help the squad's togetherness and spirit. Hopefully we'll see a response when we're back in the UK.
"It has definitely been a good trip. We've worked hard and hopefully we'll see the benefits of it when we're back in England."
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