ZIDANE’S SNUB HAS LEFT MY BALE STALE

Giggs says lack of matches at Madrid has hit superstar Gareth’s form

RYAN GIGGS says Wales have paid the price for Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid misery.

Bale, frozen out at the Bernabeu, was making his first competitive start since April 28 when he lined up for Wales in the 2-1 defeat in Croatia on Saturday.

The former Spurs star looked rusty but Giggs expects him to be more effective tonight against Hungary in a crucial Euro 2020 qualifier.

Wales boss Giggs said: “It was his first game in six weeks so it was understandable. He had chances. On another day he scores maybe one or two. Hopefully he is saving it for Tuesday.

“But any team that plays against a side with Gareth in will mark him up as a dangerman.

“A lot of teams will stop him any way they can. It is up to us to find a way around that and for Gareth to find a way around that.

“But he is used to it both at club and international level.”

The 22,000-capacity Groupama Arena in Budapest will have 3,000 home seats closed tonight.

It is a punishment from UEFA for racism and vandalism by Hungary fans in previous matches against Croatia and Slovakia.

Home coach Marco Rossi is also banned from the dugout after being sent off during his side’s 3-1 win in Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Swansea winger Daniel James is set to win his third cap for Wales ahead of an £18million move to Manchester United.

Team-mate Chris Gunter, who has 94 caps, believes the switch to Old Trafford will see James blossom.

“Making the move will help him continue to grow,” said the Reading full-back.

“As a team-mate that is a good thing and not having to face him in the Championship is good too! His improvement and development have been phenomenal.

“Now he’s moving to such a big club, his life changes in terms of being in the spotlight. But he’s a very good player, and one of his biggest strengths is his temperament.

“On the pitch, when we can get him into positions we want to, sometimes there’s not a lot you can do to defend against that. He can mix his game up because, if you get too close, he can spin in behind. If you give him the space then he can pick the ball up and cause damage running at you.

“He’s learning how to mix his game up more and how to handle the different tests he’s facing.”