Tom Lawrence insists Wales can cope without Gareth Bale as they chase World Cup qualification in this week’s final two qualifiers.
Bale’s absence through injury has cast a dark shadow over Wales’ hopes with the Real Madrid star out of the remaining two ties against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland.
It means manager Chris Coleman must find a revised tactical approach and blend in his team selection that will enable his side to gain the two victories they are likely to need in order to make the play-offs for the finals in Russia.
Lawrence is likely to come into that revamped plan and the Derby County striker believes both he and his team can still seize their opportunity.
Wales drew 1-1 away to group leaders Serbia in June when Bale was suspended and Lawrence said: “He’s a big loss, but that doesn’t faze us. We’ve been without him before and will deal with it again.
“It’s obviously a massive loss because he’s a great player who plays for Real Madrid.
“But we’ve got a strong squad and whoever comes in needs to step up and do a job.
“We’ve got a good group and they will want to put a shift in.”
As for taking Bale’s spot, Lawrence added: “I wouldn’t say I can replace him. I’m a different kind of player to Gareth.
“But I think I’ve gained the manager’s trust and hopefully I’ve repaid him with performances and there is more to come.
“These two massive games are up there with the biggest that we have had and hopefully we can do it.”
Wales’ record without Bale does not make pretty reading. The team have won only eight of the 33 games Bale has missed since making his debut in 2006, while Wales have won none of the last 10 when the 28-year-old forward has been absent.
But Lawrence is in the form to help Wales succeed without Bale, according to Derby manager Gary Rowett.
The former Birmingham City boss was impressed by Lawrence’s form against Cardiff City last weekend as Derby held the Championship leaders to a 0-0 draw.
He may not have found the net for Derby yet this season, but Rowett said: “We played him further forward as we felt in the last three or four games he’s been our brightest player going forward but he’s had to do too much defending.
“We wanted to get him in an area where he could concentrate solely on attacking.
“He was bright again and he had a couple of fouls on the edge of the box which for me were clear fouls that weren’t given. Some of our inter-change was good and Tom was part of that.”
