Bale ruled out of Wales squad with ‘significant hamstring tear’

Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Wales’ World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia.

Skipper B ale has not played since Wales’ goalless draw against Estonia on September 8 after being injured on his return to Real Madrid.

The 32-year-old was due to win his 100th cap against the Czech sand his absence for October’ s double-header deals a serious blow to Wales’ qualification hopes for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Wales boss Robert Page is confident Bale will be fit for November’ s closing two World Cup qualifiers, but said: “You grade ham string injuries from one to four and his is near er the four.

“So it’s quite a significant hamstring tear. We’ve been in close contact with him to see how it’s progressing but this camp has come too soon for him.

“Originally, it might have been progressing into November’ s camp, that’s the significance of the injury.

“Thankfully, he’s recovering better than anticipated. We’ re pretty certain we’ ll have him for November.”

Bale’s eight-year stay in Spain has been dogged by injury and his regular absences in recent seasons have not gone down well with Real supporters. On Bale’s latest setback, Page said: “Whether it was to do with the travelling in September’s camp and he had a build-up in fatigue in his muscle sand a soft tissue injury… it’s a blow.

“Gareth is a very special player and we know he will be missed. But we can’t cry about it, we’ve got to get on with it and look at it in a positive frame of mind.”

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey was among a raft of withdrawals for the World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Estonia earlier this month.

Ramsey has played less than an hour of football since but is named in a 28-man squad for the Czech Republic clash in Prague on October 8 and the trip to Estonia three days later.

“I’ve had contact with Aaron and things have been put in place like they were at the Euros to suit his needs and be in the best possible shape,” said Page, whose side trail group leaders Belgium by nine points and are now seemingly fighting the Czechs for second spot.

“We’ve got another week togo but we’ re all confident he will be turning upon Sunday .”