Gareth Bale insists he is in the best shape possible to lead Wales into their World Cup qualifying campaign against Belgium tonight. The 31-year-old Tottenham forward – who has never played at the finals of the tournament – begins another mission in Leuven, believing his loan move from Real Madrid and then increasing match action has put him into peak fitness. On arriving fresh for international duty, Bale said: “Over the last few years this is probably the most match fitness I’ve had.

Gareth Bale is in safe hands with Wales and Tottenham have no concerns about him linking up for international duty, according to Robert Page. Wales caretaker manager Page has insisted there has been no contact between Wales and Spurs over  national captain Bale’s condition. Bale and injured Aaron Ramsey were both named in the Wales squad for their opening 2022 World Cup qualifiers – in Belgium on March 24 and against the Czech Republic in Cardiff six days later.

Gareth Bale is still unable to play for a full 90 minutes, according to his Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho. The Wales captain has returned to a rich vein of form in recent weeks, having seemingly overcome the injury problems that undermined the initial period of his loan move from Real Madrid. But with the start of the delayed Euro 2020 finals just 13 weeks away, Mourinho has claimed Bale is still not up to lasting a full game.

The delayed European Championship finals start in 141 days and in 142 Wales play Switzerland. Not long, then, for Gareth Bale to get into some kind of form at Tottenham. Except, argues Fraser Watson, maybe it’s not long enough. Maybe, the whole nation needs to be realistic about the likely impact of the frustrated captain. It was the morning after the night before, and Gareth Bale was getting positive headlines. The minnows of Marine had succumbed to the might of Spurs – despite the inevitable lopsided scoreline being somewhat tempered by a resilient second-half display from the Northern Premier League side.

Caretaker manager Rob Page has urged Wales to finish their Nations Cup in style and use it as a springboard to the World Cup. Wales face Finland in their final group B4 game at Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow only needing a point to secure promotion to the top tier.

Gareth Bale neither insists Covid fears nor Finland will divert Wales from gaining promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. Bale will captain Wales for their final group match against the Fins at Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow, knowing only a point is required to finish in top spot.

Gareth Bale is about to help lift Tottenham to another level, according to former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman. The Wales captain – who will lead his team against Finland in their final Nations League group stage match tomorrow – is nearing full fitness having eased his way back from a knee injury which meant his second spell in north London got off to a slow start. There were signs before the international break that Bale was getting close to peak condition. He made a big impact by scoring the winning goal against Brighton and getting vital minutes with Wales over the last week will only help him further.

Robert Page paid tribute to his gritty Wales team after a David Brooks goal cemented their position at the top of their Nations League group and underlined their status as a national side others would now rather avoid. This was Wales’ fourth 1-0 in Group B4 and the fact they did not concede again means they have now gone 700 minutes without giving up a goal in competitive football. Brooks headed home from close range after 66 minutes to maintain Wales’ one-point lead over Finland – 2-1 winners in Bulgaria – before the two teams meet in their final Group B4 fixture in Cardiff on Wednesday.

Gareth Bale is set to start both Wales’ Nations Cup games with caretaker boss Robert Page insisting: He’s the fittest I’ve seen him! The Tottenham ace was rested for the friendly with the USA last Thursday with club boss Jose Mourinho warning about his workload after a knee injury.

By Phil White Wales can turn their attention to the serious business of the Nations League now – and welcome back Gareth Bale. The Tottenham star was rested for the tepid goalless draw with a technically excellent USA team at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium. Caretaker boss Rob Page – and an absent but watching Ryan Giggs – […]

Chris Gunter is relishing taking the captain’s armband for Wales on Thursday as he targets a centenary of caps. The right-back will win his 98th cap for his country in the friendly against the United States in Swansea with Gareth Bale set to be rested.

Acting Manager Rob Page says it’s an extremely proud moment as he takes charge of Wales for the first time in the absence of Ryan Giggs. Page has stepped up for Thursday’s friendly with the United States in Swansea and the two Nations Cup games with Giggs not involved this month.