Gareth Bale has said he felt unfairly scapegoated during his summer of upheaval at Real Madrid. The Wales captain – who will lead his country against Azerbaijan on Friday night – admits he is not at his happiest, but is intent on giving his all for club and country until his situation in Spain reaches “some sort of conclusion.” In a revealing interview with Sky Sports, Bale said: “I understand I was made more of a scapegoat than most, I take it with a pinch of salt even though maybe it’s not all fully fair.

Tom Lawrence has insisted it is time for him and other Wales players to start sharing the burden carried by Gareth Bale. The Derby County star is set to win his 20th cap against Azerbaijan in Cardiff on Friday as Wales seek to revive their Euro 2020 qualification hopes. Bale scored his first goal since March 16 at the weekend when he netted twice for Real Madrid in a 2-2 draw with Villarreal.

Joe Rodon has sprung to the defence of Daniel James after Manchester United fans criticised his Wales teammate. Far from letting recent success go to his head, James will not get carried away after making a sensational start to his United career, according to his former Swansea City team-mate Rodon. James has been the shining light during United’s stuttering early-season performances, scoring three goals in four games since completing a £15million transfer from the Swans this summer.

Jayne Ludlow has admitted she has never felt as agitated on a touchline after a defeat that has put a big question mark over Wales’ ability to qualify for the Women’s European Championships in 2021. Tuesday evening’s 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland at Rodney Parade may be just two points dropped in a campaign that is only two matches old, but it was the manner of the performance that concerned the manager. Ludlow spent the last 20 minutes screaming instructions to her players before her worst fears were realised when the visitors snatched an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.

Gareth Bale remains the key man to Wales’ European Championships hopes, according to John Hartson. Former Celtic, Arsenal and Wales striker Hartson insists Wales are still heavily reliant on their ‘main man’ – despite his troubled recent few months in Spain. The 29-year-old Real Madrid star was criticised by some after two lacklustre performances in Wales’ two Euro 2020 qualifying defeats against Croatia and Hungary in June.

Jayne Ludlow insists Wales will not take Northern Ireland lightly tonight – despite their opponents’ disastrous start to their Euro 2021 qualifying campaign. While Wales were lording it in the Faroe Islands – where they were 6-0 winners in their opening tie – Northern Ireland were hammered by the same scoreline at home against Norway. Admittedly, the Norwegians were World Cup quarter-finalists this summer and are a class above the Faroe Islanders, but it was still a scoreline that few saw coming.

Natasha Harding was given a pat on the back from Wales manager Jayne Ludlow after the striker blasted a hat-trick in her team’s emphatic 6-0 win over the Faroe Islands. Harding’s goals formed half the total of a dominant Wales display as they opened their Women’s Euro 2021 campaign in style in Torshavn in driving rain on an artificial surface. Further strikes from Kayleigh Green, Emma Jones and an own goal reflected Wales’ control as they warmed up for a tougher assignment in their next tie at home to Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

The next two months mark a significant period for Wales men’s football manager Ryan Giggs and women’s boss Jayne Ludlow. Ludlow’s side get their Euro 2021 qualifying campaign underway with a trip to the Faroe Islands this evening. While the men’s team return to Euro 2020 qualifying action when they host Azerbaijan at the Cardiff City Stadium on September 6.

Angharad James believes Wales manager Jayne Ludlow can prove the difference between qualification success and failure in their Women’s Euro 2021 campaign. The tournament qualifiers begin on Thursday evening with Wales in the Faroe Islands for their first match – almost a year to the day since their last competitive tournament fixture when a 3-0 home defeat to England ended Wales’ chances of going to the World Cup. Since then, Wales have had to make do with friendly games in the long wait to resume their dreams of making their first tournament finals. They have only won once in those seven matches – a 1-0 victory over New Zealand in June – but the meaningful action starts now.

Cymru manager Paul Bodin has named a 20-man squad to face Belgium and Germany in their opening Uefa under-21 Euro 2021 qualifiers at the Racecourse in Wrexham. Bodin has called on the experience of nine players involved in the previous under-21 qualifying campaign, including Mark Harris, Cameron Coxe and Regan Poole. Former Manchester United and […]

Ashley Williams believes he is heading back towards the Premier League – having signed for Bristol City. The axed Wales captain – who was left out of Ryan Giggs’ squad to face Azerbaijan and Belarus – has joined the Robins on a short-term contract. The 35-year-old has signed an initial deal until mid-January with the option of an extension, the Championship club have confirmed.

Ryan Giggs insists he is “not fussed” over Paul Dummett’s decision to make himself unavailable for Wales.The Newcastle defender appears to have called time on his international career after manager Giggs revealed the player had chosen not to be part of the national squad. Dummett has won only five caps in a stop-start international career, but Giggs admitted the 27-year-old was in contention to play in next month’s vital Euro 2020 qualifier against Azerbaijan.