Former Newcastle midfielder Steve Howey has exclusively told Football FanCast that he's shocked by Gareth Bale's comments about returning to Real Madrid, considering the "disgusting" treatment he's received in the Spanish capital.

Bale made the loan switch back to Tottenham last summer, with an option for a second year, but the Welshman revealed on international duty last month that he's planning on returning to the Bernabeu once his loan deal expires at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has enjoyed a far more productive second half of the season with Spurs than the first, scoring 11 times and adding three assists in 29 outings in all competitions, although he's played just ten minutes in four Premier League matches before Jose Mourinho was sacked.

Bale later touched on his comments once again, and admitted that he'll decide his future after his summer holiday, but Howey is surprised that he would even consider playing for Real Madrid again.

He told Football FanCast:

"He comes with some toppers when he goes away with Wales. There's this one, and the one with the flag. It felt as if his bridges were kind of burnt at Real, he clearly doesn't get on with the manager.

"If I'm being honest, I think it's a disgrace the way he's been treated considering what he's done at the club. He should be an absolute icon, is it four European Cups?"