MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 15:04:33| >> :600:96737:96737:

Gareth Bale named in Wales squad despite calf injury

Gareth Bale named in Wales squad despite calf injury
© Reuters
The Real Madrid star has not played since sustaining a calf injury in the last international camp.

Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for the decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary despite a calf problem.

Real Madrid star Bale has not played since scoring in Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia on October 13 and must be considered a doubt for both games.

The 30-year-old's future at Real Madrid has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, including on Monday when reports linked him with Manchester City.

Real manager Zinedine Zidane said last week that Bale is "back out on the pitch working to get fit again", but he is unlikely to be involved in their Champions League tie with Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey has also been included after recovering from a thigh problem.

Ramsey, who is yet to feature in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign because of injury, has made two substitute appearances for Juventus in the past week.

Bournemouth's Chris Mepham returns after injury and fellow defenders James Lawrence and Regan Poole are also included, as well as young Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt.

Aaron Ramsey is working his way back to fitness
Aaron Ramsey is working his way back to fitness (Nick Potts/PA)

Swansea defender Joe Rodon and Charlton midfielder Jonny Williams are unavailable after undergoing respective ankle and knee surgery last month.

Long-term absentee David Brooks remains out, while Joe Allen is named in the squad despite being suspended for the trip to Azerbaijan on November 16.

The Stoke midfielder will return for the Hungary game in Cardiff three days later, with Wales needing to win their final two games to be in with a chance of qualifying for next summer's finals.

Full squad: Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Ward (Leicester), Davies (Stoke), Gunter (Reading), Williams (Bristol City), Davies (Tottenham), Taylor (Aston Villa), C Roberts (Swansea), Ampadu (RB Leipzig, on loan from Chelsea), Mepham (Bournemouth), Lockyer (Charlton), J Lawrence (St Pauli), Poole (MK Dons), Levitt (Manchester United), Ramsey (Juventus), Allen (Stoke), Wilson (Bournemouth, on loan from Liverpool), Smith (QPR, on loan from Manchester City), James (Manchester United), Vaulks (Cardiff), Morrell (Lincoln, on loan from Bristol City), Bale (Real Madrid), Vokes (Stoke), T Lawrence (Derby), T Roberts (Leeds), Matondo (Schalke), Moore (Wigan).

ID:377509: cacheID:377509:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5845:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Harry Kane in action for England on October 14, 2019
Read Next:
Euro 2020: Where the battle for qualification now stands
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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!