Bale out of Wales World Cup qualifying with hamstring injury | Football news
LONDON (Reuters) – Gareth Bale was barred from the World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Estonia next month due to a “major hamstring tear”, the Country boss said on Tuesday. Wales, Robert Page.
The Welsh captain has not played since the 0-0 draw against Estonia on September 8 after suffering an injury on his return to Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old’s absence for the October double is a serious blow to Wales’ 2022 World Cup qualifying hopes in Qatar.
Page is confident Bale will be in good shape for the final two World Cup qualifiers in November against Belarus and Belgium, but said: “You rate hamstring injuries from one to four and his is closer of the four.
“So that’s a pretty big hamstring tear. We’ve been in close contact with him to see how it’s progressing, but this camp has come too early for him.
“Originally, it could have progressed in the November camp, it is the importance of the injury.
“Fortunately, he’s recovering better than expected. We’re pretty sure we’ll have him by November.”
Bale’s eight-year stay in Spain has been hampered by injuries and his regular absences in recent seasons have not been welcomed by Real fans.
“Gareth is a very special player and we know he will be missed,” said Page.
“But we can’t cry about it. We have to go on and watch it in a positive frame of mind.”
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who missed this month’s qualifiers, is named to a 28-man squad for the Czech Republic clash in Prague on October 8 and the trip to Estonia three days later .
The 30-year-old could take over the captaincy.
Wales are third in their World Cup qualifying group, tied on points with the Czechs but nine points behind the Belgian leaders.
The best team from each group qualifies for the World Cup, with the runners-up qualifying for the play-offs.
The Welsh captain has not played since the 0-0 draw against Estonia on September 8 after suffering an injury on his return to Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old’s absence for the October double is a serious blow to Wales’ 2022 World Cup qualifying hopes in Qatar.
Page is confident Bale will be in good shape for the final two World Cup qualifiers in November against Belarus and Belgium, but said: “You rate hamstring injuries from one to four and his is closer of the four.
“So that’s a pretty big hamstring tear. We’ve been in close contact with him to see how it’s progressing, but this camp has come too early for him.
“Originally, it could have progressed in the November camp, it is the importance of the injury.
“Fortunately, he’s recovering better than expected. We’re pretty sure we’ll have him by November.”
Bale’s eight-year stay in Spain has been hampered by injuries and his regular absences in recent seasons have not been welcomed by Real fans.
“Gareth is a very special player and we know he will be missed,” said Page.
“But we can’t cry about it. We have to go on and watch it in a positive frame of mind.”
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who missed this month’s qualifiers, is named to a 28-man squad for the Czech Republic clash in Prague on October 8 and the trip to Estonia three days later .
The 30-year-old could take over the captaincy.
Wales are third in their World Cup qualifying group, tied on points with the Czechs but nine points behind the Belgian leaders.
The best team from each group qualifies for the World Cup, with the runners-up qualifying for the play-offs.