Gareth Bale out of Wales’ training squad ahead of crunch qualifier against Serbia
GARETH BALE has been left out of Wales' training squad in Portugal ahead of the crunch qualifier against Serbia.
The Real Madrid forward is suspended for the clash in a huge blow for Dragons boss Chris Coleman.
Bale missed Real's last game of the season as they wrapped up the title by beating Malaga 2-0.
He is considered a doubt for the Champions League final in hometown Cardiff on June 3.
But Marca reported today that the Welshman completed a full training session.
On his chances of playing, Coleman said: "That’ll be up to Zidane.
"He’s played a small part of late. If there’s any chance of him to start, he has to start. That’s with any team.
"He’s that good and Real Madrid know that. If he doesn’t start it’s because he’s not fit for 90 minutes. We want Real Madrid to win because he’s one of our own.
"To win three Champions Leagues is untouchable. As an overseas players [from Britain], no-one’s done that or come near it."
Coleman himself has hit headlines as rumours link him with the Crystal Palace job.
But the ex-Fulham boss remains focused on his country and claims they can get the job done in Serbia without their talisman.
He added: "It’s not been sprung on us, we’ve known for sometime. It’s worse when you get a phone call you don’t expect.
"We’ve dealt with the disappointment some time ago. It’s good for us; when you have a player that good, everyone wants to talk about him, but it’s a good challenge for us. Can we handle it?
"We’ve done it before. We went to Belgium without Bale, Williams and Allen. Ramsey was incredible on the night.
"People are prepared to step up, I’m confident of that. Ideally you want the best players on the pitch, but we’ve had plenty of time to plan.
"We’re not going into game thinking we can’t do what we want to do. I have belief in them and they are capable of doing what is needed.”