Clock ticking on my career, admits Bale

GARETH Bale admits his career at international level could be drawing to a close with Wales’ current World Cup qualifying campaign possibly his last.

Wales play the Czech Republic in Cardiff tonight seeking their first points in Group E after an opening defeat to Belgium.

Bale and company still have this summer’s delayed European Championship finals to look forward to, but Tottenham’s Wales captain will be 33 by the time of the 2022 World Cup finals.

“I haven’t really thought too much past this campaign,” said Bale, who insisted he had not been “disrespectful” last week when outlining his end-of-season plans to see out the final year of his Real Madrid contract.

“Obviously, there’s no hiding we are getting older and possibly it is the last campaign.

“If it is, then it won’t change my mindset. I’m going to be 100 per cent committed like always.

“We still have a big tournament to play in the summer and then continue with these qualifiers.

“I’m focused on the present and what is happening now. Whatever will happen in the future will happen.”

Meanwhile, Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts have all been sent home for breaching Football Association of Wales protocol and will miss the Czech Republic match.

The trio have been released from camp, with Leeds striker Roberts apologising on social media – in a post which has since been deleted – for staying up too late and breaking a curfew at the team hotel.

Elsewhere this evening, the Republic of Ireland face 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in a friendly, looking to put Saturday’s embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to Luxembourg behind them.