Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale (right) leaves the pitch after suffering a muscular problem ahead of the La Liga match against Getafe in Madrid earlier this month. (EPA)
AFP/Cardiff, Wales
Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive player, was named yesterday in the Wales squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Belgium later this month despite a thigh injury.
But Wales manager Chris Coleman said the 24-year-old forward would not play in either match.
“We have spoken to the doctor and we will be without him, but we said all along it is very tough for him to have had no pre-season and be thrown in at the deep end,” Coleman said.
The manager, explaining why an injured player who wasn’t going to play in either game was still in his squad, added: “He (Bale) is named until we’re told otherwise.
“But after naming the squad I was told he had a problem. It looks like he will possibly be out for two weeks.
“I found out yesterday (Wednesday) for definite. I spoke to the doctor and he filled me in on the particulars. You always hope because sometimes you have a slight problem but we like to try and get him here to see how serious it is.
“This is more than a slight problem. He will be unavailable for at least the first week of training, so he has no chance of playing.
“I don’t want to waste his time, Real Madrid’s time, or our time.
“It is a massive blow, we didn’t have him for the Republic of Ireland game, we only had him for half-an-hour against Serbia.
“A player of his talent would be a loss to anybody, especially to us, offensively he is the key that opens every door.”
Bale missed Spanish giants Real’s 4-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen on Wednesday with the injury.
It was the second time in two weeks Bale has been sidelined by a thigh problem as he also missed the league matches against Getafe and Elche.
Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur last month in a deal widely reported to be the world’s most expensive transfer at around £86 million (100 million euros, $132.5 million).
Meanwhile Wales captain Ashley Williams is a fitness doubt due the ankle ligament injury which has kept him out of Swansea’s recent matches.
Veteran Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy was included for what could be his final competitive games for Wales, with the striker having indicated he is unlikely to feature in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
