David Brooks says the sunshine of the Persian Gulf and the warm embrace of his family kept him going through the dark days of the past 18 months. The Wales forward – who scored the only goal of the game in the victory over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday – is coming back to his eye-catching best after missing most of last season due to an ankle injury. So long as his fitness is confirmed, he looks a certain starter when Wales host Finland on Wednesday, where a point will be enough to finish on top of their National League group.

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.

Former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw believes the current squad will not be “missing a beat” over manager Ryan Giggs’ absence. Giggs missed Thursday’s goalless draw with the United States following his arrest over an alleged row with girlfriend Kate Greville at his Manchester home on November 1. The 46-year-old has denied the allegation of assault made against him and will miss the Nations League ties against the Republic of Ireland and Finland as Greater Manchester Police continues its investigation into the matter. Giggs’ assistant, Robert Page, is in charge for the three games and Earnshaw told the PA news agency: “As a player you’re in that situation on the basis of being a professional and applying yourself whether the manager’s there or not.

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 – […]

Wales will be up against one of the most exciting youngsters in world football tonight when they face the USA in Swansea. Teenager Giovanni Reyna – who is setting tongues wagging and hearts fluttering among Borussia Dortmund fans in Germany – is set for his international debut, but at least Wales will avoid Christian Pulisic, who is being rested. The latest step on 17-year-old Reyna’s meteoric rise will see national team head coach Gregg Berhalter hand the youngster some game time against Wales at the Liberty Stadium.

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.

Wales take on the USA on Thursday night, before UEFA Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Kieffer Moore is likely to be a key figure, a striker who Jack Hammett believes has become as important to Wales as Olivier Giroud has been to France. Variety has become a significant thread running through Wales football squads at present and the current group is certainly that. On the one hand, there are players from the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A, whilst at the other end of the scale an opportunity has been given to players from League Two.

Former Wales manager Chris Coleman says he is eagerly awaiting his next challenge in football – wherever in the world that may be. Having been out of work since parting ways with Hebei China Fortune in May 2019, the former Fulham, Real Sociedad and Sunderland boss has endured a strange year, like everyone else. Cookie, as he is affectionately known by Wales supporters, reached the momentous milestone of 50 years of age in June and says the past year has given him ample time to reflect on his managerial ambitions.

Former Wales goalkeeper Dai Davies has revealed how physios have got him walking again after 10 weeks in hospital. Davies – who made his name with Everton and Wrexham – has terminal pancreatic cancer and had been a patient at the Royal Liverpool Hospital for almost two months during the summer. During that period he was unable to see family and loved-ones due to Covid-19 restrictions, but in August he was transferred to Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham.

Ben Cabango will be given every chance to prove his fitness before Swansea City’s Championship clash at Norwich City on Saturday. The defender has been having treatment since pulling up with a hamstring problem during the warm-up against Brentford on Tuesday.

Aaron Ramsey is out of Wales’ squad for this month’s internationals with a thigh injury. The midfielder’s latest injury jinx saw his withdrawn just hours after the squad was announced on Thursday morning.