Gareth Bale fit enough for Wales bench

Gareth Bale won't start but could make an appearance off the bench as Wales take on Belgium on Tuesday in a game that could secure a more favoured play-off draw for the Dragons.

The Real Madrid player rubbished reports that he was injured while winning his 100th Wales cap in his team's emphatic 5-1 win over Belarus. Bale had been replaced at half-time.

"I've been out for two months so if we were up the plan was to come off and be ready for Tuesday... It was always the plan to play 45 minutes."

Wales manager Robert Page said the idea was for Bale to start the first game against Belarus before being utilised as a substitute against group-leaders Belgium.

"The plan was always for him to get a half in the first game and then come on and maybe have an impact in the second game... He has not played for a couple of months and to throw him in for that game was a big ask from a physical point of view."

Should Wales solidify second position in Group E by either gaining at least a point against a Belgium side with nothing to play for (or should the Czech Republic fail to beat Estonia) then Page's team will get the added advantage of a home play-off draw. That advantage could give them a shot at finally booking their place in the World Cup once again.

💯 up! Special feeling to wear this shirt ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @Cymru pic.twitter.com/x2MpQ1HUtL

— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) November 13, 2021