Page is going all out for a win
ROB PAGE insists Wales will go flat out for victory tonight – despite leaving Gareth Bale on the bench.
Wales are assured a play-off spot and need just a point to secure second spot in Group E. Belgium, who top the FIFA rankings, have already qualified.
But second place in the group will earn Wales a potential home draw in the play-off semi-finals.
Wales boss Page, whose side beat Belarus 5-1 on Saturday, said: “We are going to take the game to them.
“We are full of confidence after Saturday’s game. We are going for the win. If we get a draw, great – we have achieved second place.
“It is nice to know we have a play-off but we don’t want to finish with a limp.
“This squad deserves to finish second and we will be going all out to get that.”
Aaron Ramsey will captain the side this evening, with record scorer Bale on the bench.
Page said: “He [Bale] has not played for a couple of months and to throw him into that game was a big ask from a physical point of view. He is going to be stiff. He has done his own recovery since and we’ll leave it to the last minute to see if he can play minutes.
“He was never going to start. The plan was always for him to get a half in the first game then come on and make an impact maybe in the second game.
“We are still giving him some tender loving care. He is getting there, slowly but surely.”
Wales are three points ahead of third-placed Czech Republic, who should beat Estonia tonight.
Wales have a goal difference two better than the Czechs, having scored one goal more in total.