Wales coach: Bale is not 100% ready
Wales coach Rob Page hinted that veteran star Gareth Bale may not be physically ready to play three matches in nine days during the group stage of the World Cup Qatar 2022, while announcing a squad of 26 players that will play the big event.
Bale was inspiring in leading Wales to the second World Cup in its history after 1958.
The 33-year-old came off the bench to score a very important equalizer for the Los Angeles FC team, which contributed to his victory in the MLS Cup on penalties last Saturday.
But the five-time European champions' participation has been minimal since his move to the United States in June, due to injuries.
"He's not 100 percent ready right now," Page said of the former Real Madrid and Tottenham winger. "Has he played enough minutes as we would like? Probably not. But that doesn't worry me."
"He has proven time and time again that when he wears the Wales shirt, no matter how many minutes he plays domestically, he has always been productive," said Page, who replaced Ryan Giggs, who is accused of assaulting his girlfriend.
He added, "On major occasions, he will shine and have fun. He will influence the situation when the coaches of the other teams read his name on the match sheet."
Wales is participating for the second time in the World Cup, after reaching the quarter-finals of the 1958 edition. The 19th world ranked player plays in a second group that includes England, Iran and the United States, after she finished second in her fifth European group and qualified with a 1-0 win over Ukraine in the playoffs.
And whether he was able to play the three matches in the first round, Page replied, "This is the million-dollar question. We don't know. We will evaluate each match, and if he is ready, it will be great, and if not, we will manage the time of his participation."
Page also gave Swansea midfielder Joe Allen the opportunity to prove his fitness before the tournament, after he played a major role in delivering Wales to the semi-finals of the 2016 European Cup and the price of the European 2020 final, which was held in the summer of 2021, but he has not played since September due to a muscle injury in his thigh. "I called him two days ago To tell him that he will be among the 26 to remove the pressure on him."
The 26-man lineup:
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessy (Nottingham Forest, England), Danny Ward (Leicester City, England), Adam Davis (Sheffield United, England),
Defense: Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, Italy), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth, England), Tom Locker (Luton). Town, England, Ben Davis (Tottenham, England), Chris Gunter (Wimbledon, England), Conor Roberts (Burnley, England), Joe Rodon (Rennes, France), Nico Williams (Nottingham Forest, England), Ben Kabango (Swansea City)
Midfield: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Aaron Ramsey (Nice, France), Harry Wilson (Fulham, England), Johnny Williams (Swindon Town, England), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth, England), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United, Scotland), Robin Colwell (Cardiff City), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield, England), Matt Smith (Milton Keynes Dons, England)
Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC, USA), Daniel James (Fulham, England), Kiefer Moore (Bournemouth, England), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest, England), Mark Harris (Cardiff City).
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