MX23RW : Friday, November 15 06:28:23| >> :120:20821:20821:

Ryan Giggs keeping tabs on Gareth Bale fitness ahead of crucial Wales qualifiers

Ryan Giggs keeping tabs on Gareth Bale fitness ahead of crucial Wales qualifiers
© Reuters
The Real Madrid forward has been named in a 27-man squad for the November double-header against Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Ryan Giggs remains hopeful Gareth Bale will make Wales' decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Bale has not played since scoring in Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia last month, and his future at Real Madrid has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

Wales boss Giggs said immediately after the Croatia game that Bale had suffered cramp, but the 30-year-old has a calf problem which is again expected to rule him out of Real's Champions League tie against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

"It wasn't a big injury, but with the short turnaround it's a worry," Giggs said after naming a 27-man squad for the November double-header.

Ryan Giggs, right, is hoping to have Gareth Bale fit and available next week
Ryan Giggs, right, is hoping to have Gareth Bale fit and available next week (David Davies/PA)

"I'm in constant contact with him and he feels confident that he'll be fit for the game.

"It's just monitoring it this week, literally day by day. The last time I spoke to him he was confident he'd be OK."

Real entertain Galatasaray and visit Eibar in LaLiga on Saturday before the international break.

Giggs is hoping that Bale – who admitted he was short of match sharpness in the summer qualifying defeats to Croatia and Hungary after a lack of game-time at the end of last season – will play before linking up with the Wales squad.

"That's the ideal situation, that he gets minutes before meeting with us," said Giggs.

"They're huge games and we need to win them (to qualify), we know what we've got to do. We've played against both teams, we beat Azerbaijan and lost against Hungary.

"It's a competitive group, you have to turn up on the night. But we're in good form, we've got momentum and I've been delighted with the last three games with the performances. The team is in good shape at the moment and I'm confident."

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is yet to play for Wales in Euro 2020 qualifying because of injuries, has also been included.

Aaron Ramsey could also be back in a Wales shirt soon
Aaron Ramsey could also be back in a Wales shirt soon (Nick Potts/PA)

Ramsey missed last month's draws against Slovakia and Croatia with a thigh problem.

"He's come on in the last two games for Juventus and he's looked sharp," Giggs said.

"He's looked full of running. He went through a stage where he started three games on the bounce before the last camp before he got that injury.

"I wouldn't say he's 100 per cent match fit but he looks good and he looks sharp. We'll see what he's like when he meets up with us next week and monitor it from there."

ID:377528: cacheID:377528:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7458:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gareth Bale during a Wales training session on October 12, 2019
Read Next:
Gareth Bale named in Wales squad despite calf injury
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!