ZIDANE DISMISSES JAMES REAL MADRID EXIT TALK

The future of the Colombia international remains unclear, but the
Blancos coach would not entertain rumours of a close-season exit
Zinedine Zidane refused to be drawn into discussions over James
Rodriguez's future at Real Madrid, insisting he and the squad are
interested only in Wednesday's crucial La Liga clash with Celta Vigo.
Reports this week have suggested James is set for a big-money
close-season move to Manchester United after falling down the pecking
order at Santiago Bernabeu.
Could James be Man Utd's Galactico?
The attacking midfielder moved to Madrid after a stellar 2014 World
Cup that saw him win the Golden Boot award, but has found playing time
limited since Zidane took over in January 2016.
But Zidane was keeping his cards firmly to his chest when asked about
James' future at a pre-match news conference.
"James is here, that's not up for question. He's with us," he said.
"He didn't train [on Tuesday] because he has a knock, but James is
here and we're thinking just about the three games we have left this
year."
Another player whose future in the Spanish capital is believed to be
up in the air is Spain striker Alvaro Morata, who has spent much of
the campaign playing second fiddle to Karim Benzema.
Morata was pictured seemingly snubbing a handshake from Zidane when
substituted in Sunday's 4-1 rout of Sevilla.
But Zidane, whose side need four points from their remaining two
matches to win LaLiga, insists he was not the cause of the striker's
irritation.
"Morata wasn't angry with me, he was angry at something else," he
added. "I don't know what but it can happen, it's fine. We spoke and
that's it."
Ronaldo snubbed in La Liga Team of the Season
PLAY
Zidane was also asked about Gareth Bale, who remains an injury
absentee after aggravating a calf issue against Barcelona in last
month's Clasico.
It has been suggested Bale will be fit for the Champions League final
against Juventus in Cardiff on June 3, but the Frenchman reiterated
his focus is purely on Celta.
"Listen, right now is not the time to talk about that," Zidane said.
"I can tell you how he is, he's a lot better, he's out on the pitch,
not with the group, but that's positive.
"We're happy with that, but we just have to think about the game [with
Celta] and that's it. Gareth isn't with us."