BALE HIM OUT
Giggs plea to aid star
RYAN GIGGS is backing Gareth Bale to spearhead Wales’ Euro return.
But the Welsh boss has called on the forward’s team-mates to ease the burden on the Real Madrid star. Bale, 29, inspired his country to Euro 2016 with seven of their 11 goals in qualifying as Wales reached their first finals since 1958. Wales face Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly in Wrexham tonight ahead of their Euro 2020 campaign, which starts against Slovakia on Sunday. Bale, who has 31 goals in 74 internationals, scored his 14th of the season in Real’s 2-0 defeat of Celta Vigo. Giggs said: “It’s always great because usually when Gareth scores he goes on a run. “It was his first 90 minutes for three months and if he plays games, he will score goals. Any manager would want him. When Gareth’s turned up, he’s been brilliant. He loves playing for Wales and being with his mates and he’s one of the voices in the dressing room.
“He’s the main man, Gareth, but I want to take the pressure off him as well. Then, if he is not available, we are not just relying on one player.
“Aaron Ramsey has also scored some important goals. And with the emergence of Harry Wilson, David Brooks and Dan James, we have so many attacking options.
“That is what we want but you also recognise you have a special player and one of the best players in the world and want to play to his strengths also.”
Tom Lawrence, Sam Vokes and Ethan Ampadu have pulled out of the squad injured while Ashley Williams is keeping the skipper’s armband.
The on-loan Stoke defender is confident there will be no fall from the controversy prompted by comments he made about a photo of Cardiff fans before an international last November.
He said: “Hopefully it will be fine, I explained it. I don’t think there will be any issues, hopefully not.”
WALES (4-2-3-1): Barnet
(1)...................1 Harrogate
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P W D L F A Pts Leyton Orient ....37 21 10 6 61 28 73 Solihull Moors...38 22 7 9 62 34 73 Wrexham ...........39 21 9 9 47 29 72 Salford ...............38 20 9 9 64 38 69 AFC Fylde..........37 18 13 6 63 32 67
Harrogate...........38 19 9 10 69 46 66
Eastleigh............38 19 7 12 49 46 64 Ladbrokes Scottish Championship: Scottish League Two:
Vanarama North:
Evo-Stik Northern Premier: Southern Premier Central: (0) ............ 0
Southern Premier South:
BASKETBALL
BBL Championship:
CRICKET
1st T20 International – Cape Town:
SNOOKER
Coral Tour Championship – quarter-finals TODAY’S DIARY
FOOTBALL International friendlies Germany v Serbia (7.45pm) ............................... Wales v Trinidad & Tobago (Wrexham, 7.45pm) UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifying – Group Seven: Evo-Stik Southern Premier Central:
ICE HOCKEY
Elite League:
ACROSS: DOWN: