Wales confident over Gareth Bale's fitness
WALES are confident Gareth Bale will be fit to face Scotland in Friday's World Cup qualifier despite the fact he has missed training.
The Spurs winger linked up with Chris Coleman's squad ahead of their trip to Glasgow, but did not take part in yesterday's practice session.
-
Bale suffered an ankle injury during Tottenham's defeat to Fulham on Sunday and looked to be struggling in the closing stages of the match.
He has so far been resting at Wales's Cardiff base, though FAW officials insist that is the 23-year-old's normal routine for a couple of days after games.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Privately, Bale is understood to have told his team-mates he is very much looking forward to facing the Scots, a team he scored twice against in a 2-1 win at the Cardiff City Stadium in October.
"Gareth is fantastic. For me he has easily been the best Premier League player this season," said Joe Ledley.
"You see him week in and week out and he is always performing to his standards and it does give you a massive confidence boost that we have got him in our team.
"He can turn the game just like that and we are just glad that we have got him.
"I think Scotland will be nervous about playing against Gareth. He is a fantastic player and I think most defenders would be nervous to play against him because for me he has got everything.
"He is quick, good on the ball, he can deliver a fantastic ball in and finish as well. You've got be a bit nervous when someone has got all that ability."
Bale is the talk of the Premier League at the moment after a season in which he has cemented his reputation as one of the division's most exciting players.
Speculation over his future continues, with European powerhouses Real Madrid the club most closely linked with a move for the former Southampton man.
Bale has become a figurehead for both club and country, but there are suggestions he may soon be reluctant to link up with Wales unless they can make more of an impact on the international stage.
When Ryan Giggs enjoyed similar superstar status a decade ago, appearances for his country became increasingly rare.
"I think Gareth enjoys coming with Wales, we all get on really well and I think he will play for Wales for a long time," said Ledley.
"It is difficult when you go away with internationals and people get a bit bored, but we have great team bond here. Gareth is a great lad and I can't see him picking and choosing.
"But it's not all about Gareth, it's about everyone else as well.
"We are a young group and we are very hungry and we believe we have a fantastic job. Just going out there and performing that's the hardest thing."
For Ledley there's personal pride at stake on Friday as well as Group A points.
The Celtic midfielder could come up against clubmates Charlie Mulgrew and Kris Commons who are both in Gordon Strachan's squad.
"They obviously fancy their chances up there and I obviously fancy our chances as well, so there is always going to be a bit of banter with fans and in the dressing room," added the former Cardiff man.
"It's all good and we are looking forward to the game.
"I think Strachan has done a fantastic job and their players will be out there trying to impress him."
Comments