Ryan Giggs has told Gareth Bale he should stay with Real Madrid and ignore any approach to join Manchester United. The Wales manager believes his country’s new record goalscorer should rebuff Jose Mourinho and remain in Spain with the European champions. “It’s Real Madrid – there are only a handful of clubs who have got that aura,” Giggs said.

Gareth Bale has always been adored by Wales fans but his global appeal was once again in evidence as the Real Madrid superstar became his country’s record goalscorer in a 6-0 thrashing of China.  Bale’s first international hat-trick saw him move past Ian Rush and on to 29 goals as he got Ryan Giggs’ tenure as Chris Coleman’s successor off to the perfect start in Nanning. It meant there was only one man on the lips of the 36,533-strong Guangxi Sports Centre crowd.  At the full-time whistle, Bale cradled the match ball and walked along the touchline with Wales’ hardy travelling support and thousands of fervent Chinese supporters standing in appreciation to applaud the 28-year-old’s spectacular individual display. 

Gareth Bale paid tribute to his Wales teammates after breaking Ian Rush’s record with a hat-trick to become his country’s leading goalscorer. The landmark was reached by Bale with three goals as Ryan Giggs made a dream start his spell as manager with a 6-0 victory at the China Cup in Nanning. Bale began the game on 26 international goals – two behind Rush’s record of 28 – but three goals edged him past the former Liverpool legend to set a new mark in Welsh football history of 29 international goals.

Aaron Ramsey was the major absentee as Ryan Giggs named his first Wales squad since taking over from Chris Coleman. The Arsenal midfielder will miss next week’s China Cup as he is having a ‘small procedure’ during the international break.

Not for the first time Gareth Bale found himself playing second fiddle to a rugby player named as Welsh Sports Personality of the Year. Two years ago it was a rather embarrassed Dan Biggar who picked up the prize ahead of the Wales and Real Madrid superstar at the Wales Sport Awards. This time, it was Jonathan Davies who took the title from a shortlist that once again included the 2017 Champions League winner.

Chris Coleman is hoping Gareth Bale continues his reign in Spain and vetoes a return to the Premier League. Rumours are rife about Real Madrid beginning to lose patience with their £85m star signing after he picked up a groin injury having just overcome a calf problem. He has missed 40 of the last 60 matches for the reigning La Liga champions.

Chris Coleman has admitted he will never get rich – at least not in football terms – as manager of Wales, but it is long term spending on things other than his wages that will determine whether or not he remains in the job. “If you’re managing Wales, this is not where you make your fortune,” said Coleman on Wednesday after naming a 24-man squad for November friendlies against France and Panama after last month’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Coleman was not being flippant, but trying to emphasise what he believes is an “important crossroads” for the country as talks continue over whether he will remain as manager.

Chris Coleman has promised Wales will “go for it” against Georgia in an attempt to keep their World Cup dream alive. Wales, second in Group D behind leaders Serbia, are without talisman Gareth Bale in Tbilisi on Friday after the Real Madrid forward suffered a calf injury. But Wales boss Coleman has targeted victories in the final two qualifiers, in Georgia and at home to the Republic of Ireland on Monday, although four points might be enough for a play-off spot next month if certain results in other groups fall in their favour.

Gareth Bale could be fit for a Wales return should they make the World Cup play-offs next month. Real Madrid have confirmed that the injury which has left Bale sidelined for the two upcoming qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland is not as serious as first feared. The 28-year-old injured his calf muscle against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last Tuesday and missed Madrid’s 2-0 win over Espanyol.

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.

Gareth Bale is out of Wales’ two remaining two World Cup qualifiers, against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland, with a hamstring injury. The Real Madrid star’s fitness has been a source of concern for Wales since he suffered a calf muscle strain against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last week. The 28-year-old missed Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Espanyol on Sunday night but reported to the Wales camp the following morning.

As Wales manager Chris Coleman names his squad on Thursday for the final two World Cup qualifiers, Josh Thomas reveals how 17-year-old Ben Woodburn has quickly gone from fringe player to focal point. “Su…per, super Ben, su…per, super Ben, su…per, super Ben, super Benny Woodburn”. That was the cry from the crowd who had just witnessed the teenage sensation make his mark, scoring his first goal for his county after entering the pitch only 261 seconds earlier. But who is this wonderkid? Where has he come from? Can he go on and be the next Wales superstar?