Wales insist Gareth Bale's latest injury was not picked up on international duty in bid to head off potential blame

Wales have stressed Gareth Bale's injury was not
picked up on international duty in a bid to head off
any potential blame.
Real Madrid ace Bale has been ruled out of Wales'
final two World Cup qualifiers with a calf injury.
Bale has not travelled with Chris Coleman's squad to
Georgia after a fresh problem was discovered in scans
in Cardiff on Monday.
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Bale, who has 26 goals in 68 caps, did not play for
Real in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Espanyol in La Liga.
But Real boss Zinedine Zidane afterwards insisted he
expected the 28-year-old to be fit for Wales after
saying he only had a hamstring strain.
Yet after the latest news from Wales, Real said on
Wednesday that: “Gareth Bale has a swollen left leg
but there is 'no tear in the soleus muscle'.”
It prompted FAW officials to stress Bale did not train
with them this week.
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They insist he only had a massage on Monday before
news of his injury later emerged.
Coleman is expected to launch a strong defence of
their handling of Bale at Friday's pre-match press
conference ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash in
Georgia.
Wales then potentially face a two-legged play-off to
reach the World Cup next month and it is not yet
known if Bale will be fit.
Wales are mindful Real will be handling the player's
recovery and intend to let the Spanish giants decide
his rehabilitation schedule.
But Real have not yet assessed the player themselves
as Bale has remained in his hometown of Cardiff and
is due to watch Monday's final qualifier at home to
the Republic of Ireland.
Coleman could decide to throw in Wales' young player
of the year Ben Woodburn,17, to replace Bale.
But MirrorSport understands Wales boss Coleman is
yet to be convinced to give the youngster a full debut
after just two sub appearances.

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