Wales Coach Robert Page named Gareth Bale in his squad to face Belarus in the qualifiers as the Real Madrid star eyes his 100th cap.
Page says Gareth Bale is ‘doing everything possible’ to return to full fitness ahead of what could be his 100th cap against Belarus in next week’s World Cup qualifier
Real Madrid forward Bale has not played since September 8 after suffering what was described by Page as a “significant hamstring tear”.
But Real manager Carlo Ancelotti says Bale could be involved in Saturday’s La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano and Page has named his 32-year-old captain in a 28-man squad for Wales’ vital double-header this month.
Bale would become only the second Welshman to reach the 100-cap milestone after team-mate Chris Gunter, who achieved the feat in March.
“Gareth is in a good place. He’s exactly where we and the medical team thought he should be,” Page said. “I spoke to him on Saturday and he’s raring to go. He’s back on the grass and doing absolutely everything possible to get himself 100 per cent fit
“He’s not in full-time training yet, but we’ve got another week and where we want him to be.”
Bale was on the scoresheet against Levante before scoring a hat-trick in Wales’ 3-2 World Cup qualifying victory against Belarus on September 5.
But his last game was Wales’ goalless draw with Estonia nearly two months ago and Real have been careful managing his recovery.
Page said: “If we have to adhere to a plan they want to put in place we’d be prepared to do it because we want Gareth as part of the squad.
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“He’s got a good relationship with the manager and medical team there, and so have we.
Asked if Real would prevent Bale from joining the Wales squad, Page said: “If he declares himself fit I can’t see why they wouldn’t. They’ve been very supportive.
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