We’ll do biz with no Bale
WALES insist they can keep their World Cup dream alive without Gareth Bale.
The Real Madrid star has been ruled out of the qualifiers against Georgia and Republic of Ireland with a calf injury despite initially being declared fit when he reported for duty.
Wales must win their final two games to boost their hopes of sealing a play-off spot and a chance to play in Russia next summer.
They will now have to do it without their best player, but boss Chris Coleman says his squad can cope.
“We have had injuries in this campaign and we haven’t always had Gareth, Aaron Ramsey or Joe Allen,” said Coleman.
“They are obviously three special players but the lads who have come in, like Dave Edwards, have been absolutely magnificent.
“This is an extra-special group and I get the feeling from them that they want to do something special again. We’re in good shape and it is all to play for.”
Bale will stay in Cardiff for further assessment on his
injury and won’t travel to Tblisi for Friday’s game. Wales secured a 1-1 draw with group leaders Serbia in June when Bale was suspended. But in their last 10 games without the 28-year-old, Wales haven’t won any, with eight defeats and two draws. The a little bit when you first hear, but in the summer we had to go to Serbia without Gareth.
“We have players with different attributes who can come in and fill his boots.”
Derby striker Tom Lawrence added: “We’ve been without him before and will deal with it again. Whoever comes in needs to step and do a job.
“We’ve got a good group and they will want to put a shift in.” Wales,” said Edwards. “Gareth is such a wonderful footballer with what he brings to the team in terms of his leadership abilities and game-changing moments.
“But at the same time, we’ve had to deal without Gareth before and Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey… and the players who have come in have always put in performances.
“I spoke to Gareth and he told me he was out. Your heart sinks last time they won away from home when the Madrid man wasn’t in their side was against Azerbaijan in 2009, when Bale was still at Tottenham.
Coleman must now decide on whether to gamble on 17-year-old Liverpool wonder kid Ben Woodburn as his replacement or stick with Reading midfielder Edwards.
“It is disappointing news for us, as it is for the whole of