BALE GIVES GOLF A REST

GARETH BALE is laying off the golf simulator to rest his back for tomorrow’s crunch game with Iran.

The Wales captain bagged his 41st goal for his country from the penalty spot in their opening 1-1 draw with the USA.

And the 33-year-old forward (right) is now preparing to face Iran tomorrow in

Group B, back at the

Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Bale is so fired up for the clash he has even reduced his time playing in the squad’s nearest the pin competition at the team hotel.

Team-mate Harry Wilson revealed: “Gaz has had a golf simulator put up there so there have been a few competitions on that.

“When he has a swing he is very good. He hasn’t played as much closer to the game because his back might be feeling it a little bit.” Golf-mad Bale, who was criticised while at Real Madrid for his love of the sport, was previously top of the leaderboard at the team’s hotel in West Bay.

But he has now lost his spot, with Wilson revealing: “We have a few good golfers. Some play more than others. “Matty Smith is very good. He is definitely top dog at that.” Wales and Bale were back in training yesterday at the squad’s base in Al Sadd. Included in the group was Joe Allen, who trained on his own before the USA game as he continued his return from a hamstring injury picked up in September.

He was an unused sub against the USA, but is closing in on a return to full fitness to push for a midfield place. Vastly experienced Allen has 72 caps and Wales boss Rob Page has previously said: “If he is fit, he plays.”