Thursday 7 January 2016 09:02, UK
Gareth Bale has gone some way to putting reports on his gloom at Real Madrid to bed after expressing his satisfaction at his first training session under Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane was appointed at the Bernabeu following the sacking of Rafael Benitez on Monday evening and it was understood Bale was "devastated" by the decision.
Real's record signing from Tottenham appeared to be reassured in Zidane's opening press conference with the French 43-year-old stating the "phenomenal" Welshman was fundamental to the future of the club.
Bale trained for the first time under the orders of Zidane on Wednesday after missing his inaugural session on Tuesday due to a minor muscle injury.
He tweeted: "Great to train for the first time with the new mister and the team #HalaMadrid".
There have also been newspaper reports that Manchester United were going to renew their interest in Bale on the back of his reported unhappiness over Benitez's exit.
But it seems clear that Zidane is a huge fan of the Wales international, insisting he would stick with the front three of Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for upcoming fixtures.
"I can understand that he might feel aggrieved by Benitez's departure but I will show him the same affection that he had from Rafa," said Zidane. "He's a vital player for the team."
Bale can also dip back into his new manager's quotes from the spring in 2013 if he has any doubts over whether he will be rated.
Zidane, the club's sporting director at the time, said: "This year the player who's impressed me most is not actually playing in the Champions League, he's playing in 'the other cup' and that's Bale.
"He's unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration is unbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space."
Preparations for Zidane's debut in senior management against Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday, after 18 months in charge of Madrid's feeder team Castilla, continued with what the club described as a 90-minute long "strenuous session".
Captain Sergio Ramos wasn't able to train with his team-mates, though, due to an injury problem.
