Gunter: No need for Bale out

WALES have nothing to prove when it comes to life without Gareth Bale.

That is the view of defender Chris Gunter as his side aims to bounce back from Thursday’s hammering by Spain with a victory over the Republic of Ireland this Tuesday.

Despite the absence of Bale (left) in the 4-1 home defeat to sizzling Spain, Gunter has rubbished the idea Wales cannot thrive when their prolific talisman is unavailable.

Forget the heaviest loss since being walloped 6-1 in Serbia in 2012 because, according to the full-back, there is plenty of recent evidence to suggest they are capable of competing on the big stage – even if Bale is missing.

Which seems more than likely to be the case for their UEFA Nations League clash in Dublin after Wales boss Ryan Giggs admitted the Real Madrid superstar is extremely doubtful because of his groin injury.

Gunter (above), who won his 90th cap against Spain, said: “We don’t need to prove what we can do when we are missing one player. “In the last couple of years, we have been without key players a few times and haven’t done too badly. Of course, you always want Gareth Bale in the team. “But we have enough quality players and a solid structure in place that we are not determined by any one player – not even someone as good as Gareth.”