Talisman Bale back on duty for Wales
GARETH Bale has returned to a Wales squad selected by absent manager Ryan Giggs.
Skipper Bale missed Wales’ October games against England, the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria with a knee injury which delayed his Tottenham debut following his seasonlong loan move from Real Madrid.
But Bale is back in a 28-man squad which was selected by Giggs before his arrest on suspicion of assaulting a woman on Sunday night.
Giggs was arrested and later bailed over an alleged row at his Manchester home on Sunday.
A statement released on behalf of Giggs said he denied “all allegations of assault made against him and will continue to assist them with their ongoing investigations”.
The 46-year-old’s assistant Robert Page will be in charge for the three games and will be supported by Arsenal coach Albert Stuivenberg.
The Football Association of Wales took the unusual step of announcing the squad for the upcoming games via their social media platforms rather than hold a press conference on Zoom.
Bale’s inclusion is a boost for Wales, especially as Aaron Ramsey pulled out following the squad announcement after being injured playing in the Champions League for Juventus against Ferencvaros on Wednesday.
Wales, who are top of Nations League Group B after three wins and a draw, are without first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and his deputy Adam Davies through injury.
Dunfermline’s Owain Fon Williams, who was part of the squad which reached the semi-final of Euro 2016 under Chris Coleman, has been recalled and is likely to be on the bench with Newport’s Tom King.
Defenders Tom Lockyer and James Lawrence are also recalled and Newport midfielder Josh Sheehan wins a first senior call-up after being preferred to Cardiff’s Will Vaulks.
Tom Lawrence features in a Wales squad for the first time this year after summer surgery.
Sheehan, King and Brennan Johnson are the only uncapped members of the 29-man squad.
Elsewhere, Ben Woodburn has not been included after testing positive for coronavirus.
Defender Ben Cabango missed Swansea’s 1-1 draw at Brentford on Tuesday after suffering a hamstring injury in the warm-up and he will be assessed before their game with Benfica tomorrow.
Rhys Norrington-Davies also sat out Luton’s midweek win at Rotherham with the same concern. Squad: D Ward (Leicester), O Fon Williams (Dunfermline), T King (Newport), C Roberts (Swansea), C Gunter (Charlton), N Williams (Liverpool), B Davies (Tottenham), R Norrington-Davies (Luton), C Mepham (Bournemouth), B Cabango (Swansea), J Rodon (Tottenham), T Lockyer (Luton), J Lawrence (St Pauli), E Ampadu (Sheff Utd), J Morrell (Luton), M Smith (Doncaster), D Levitt (Charlton), J Sheehan (Newport), J Williams (Charlton), B Johnson (Lincoln), D Brooks (Bournemouth), H Wilson (Cardiff), R Matondo (Schalke 04), D James (Man Utd), T Roberts (Leeds), G Bale (Tottenham), K Moore (Cardiff), T Lawrence (Derby).