Gareth Bale believes Wales will give themselves a ‘great chance’ of finishing top of their World Cup qualifying group by beating Moldova on Tuesday. Wales stayed in the hunt for a World Cup place when Ben Woodburn’s dramatic debut winner secured a 1-0 victory over Austria on Saturday. Chris Coleman’s side are still two points behind the Republic of Ireland in second spot and four adrift of Group D leaders Serbia.

Gareth Bale is counting down the wins that could take Wales to next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. The victory over Austria last Saturday left Wales two points behind the Republic of Ireland in second spot and four adrift of Group D leaders Serbia.

Wales captain Ashley Williams is adamant the team’s momentum is changing ahead of their crucial final four World Cup Qualifying games. Wales are four points behind leaders Serbia and Republic of Ireland in Group D and host Austria on Saturday evening at the Cardiff City Stadium, knowing defeat will dent their claims of reaching Russia next summer. However, Williams, who has led Wales in all six of their qualifiers, believes the tide is turning in the favour of Chris Coleman’s side after their draw with Serbia in June – a result achieved without their regular inspiration Gareth Bale.

Gareth Bale has been backed to return to peak form and fitness for Wales next week, by a relieved Chris Coleman. The Real Madrid star was named on Friday for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Moldova after returning from international suspension. Bale missed the 1-1 draw against Serbia in June and has played just one La Liga match since then as the season starts later in Spain.

Joe Allen insists Wales can deal with the absence of Gareth Bale and still make a success of their daunting World Cup qualifier in Serbia. Bale will miss the tie in Belgrade on Sunday after he was given a yellow card for a tackle on John O’Shea in the 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland in March.

Martin O’Neill has claimed Seamus Coleman’s broken leg may not have happened if Gareth Bale had been sent off moments earlier in Wales’ World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. As the accusations and recriminations continue following last Friday’s clash in Dublin, the Ireland manager has suggested a Bale sending off may have cooled the temperature of a fiery match that was over-heating.

John O’Shea believes he was fortunate not to suffer the same fate as Seamus Coleman after finding himself on the wrong end of a Gareth Bale challenge. Seconds before Republic of Ireland skipper Coleman was left with a double leg fracture during Friday night’s 0-0 World Cup qualifier draw with Wales, the Sunderland defender was caught high and late by Real Madrid star Bale.

Chris Coleman insists Wales will find a way to get a result in Serbia after a minute of madness against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. The Dragons will be without talisman Gareth Bale and Neil Taylor for the trip to Belgrade as they face an uphill task qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.

Chris Coleman is in calm and confident mood ahead of Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on Friday night. Third-placed Wales have ground to make up, with their opponents and Group D leaders and four points ahead of them before their Aviva Stadium clash.

Gareth Bale believes English clubs are suffering in the Champions League because they do not have a winter break. The Wales star – who is on track to face Ireland this month in his country’s crucial World Cup qualifier – has won the competition twice since his big-money move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 and is targeting a third crown with the Spanish giants this season.

Gareth Bale has given Wales a huge boost by finally returning to training for Real Madrid after his ankle injury. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since suffering the injury in Madrid’s Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon on November 22.

Gareth Bale is in danger of missing Wales’ crunch World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland after being ruled out for up to four months with an ankle injury. The Real Madrid star will struggle to make the March 24 date after his club revealed the seriousness of the injury on Thursday.