Wales will still be a handful without Bale

WALES have failed to build on their 4-1 trouncing of Ireland last month, suffering defeat by the same score line to Spain on Thursday, but Jeff Hendrick insists they have more than enough quality to come to Dublin and win – even without Gareth Bale.

The Real Madrid superstar linked up with Ryan Giggs’ (pictured) squad but is struggling to be fit due to muscle fatigue. While he missed that friendly defeat in midweek, he was part of the Wales side brought down to earth with a 2-0 loss to Denmark in their second Nations League group game three days after hammering Ireland.

Hendrick, though, is adamant they more than a one-man show. ‘They definitely are. It helps to have Gareth Bale in your team. He’s one of the best in the world when he’s on form. Looking through their team, they’ve a lot of good players, playing at top teams. [Aaron] Ramsey at Arsenal, [Ben] Davies at Tottenham. Bale takes the headlines but you can’t overlook these players.

‘Not much went right for us on the night,’ Hendrick recalled of defeat in Cardiff. ‘In fairness to Wales, they were very good. Whether we helped them look that good? We’ve to make sure they don’t have it easy the next time.’