Chelsea star Ethan Ampadu hobbles off for Wales against Spain while Gareth Bale faces race against time to be fit for Ireland
The midfielder played well against the Spanish midfield but limped off to be replaced by Andy King at the Principality Stadium as Gareth Bale faces a race against time to be fit for Ireland clash on Tuesday
CHELSEA and Wales starlet Ethan Ampadu hobbled off in his country's friendly with Spain.
The 18-year-old came off with a knee problem after falling awkwardly in a challenge and was replaced by Andy King after 50 minutes.
His Chelsea team-mates Cesar Azpilicueta and Alvaro Morata came to check on the stricken youth as he sat on the turf.
Ampadu has been in fine form for the Welsh this season, especially in their 4-1 win over Ireland.
But he has found game-time hard to come by at Chelsea as Maurizio Sarri continues to overhaul their midfield with new boys Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic breathing fresh energy into the middle of the park.
Ryan Giggs has one eye on Tuesday's clash with Ireland in Dublin, where Wales can keep alive their hopes of Nations League promotion and put the Irish in danger of relegation to League C.
Ampadu was class against the Irish in Cardiff and bossed the middle of the park before being substituted.
Maurizio Sarri has overlooked Ampadu in the Premier League so far this term, after freshening the Blues' midfield up with the signings of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
Not that the Rastafarian-haired teen star could do anything to stop the Spanish running Wales ragged in Cardiff.
Two goals from Dortmund forward Paco Alcacer, a contentious Sergio Ramos header and another header from Marc Bartra gave Spain a comfortable lead.
Giggs confirmed Ampadu's knock at the Principality Stadium, while giving injury updates on his other stars.
The Wales boss said: "Ethan just extended his knee a little bit. We’ll assess it, see how it is. Chris Mepham got a little knock yesterday in training.
"Gareth [Bale] is struggling for Tuesday so we try to take care of the lads and get ready for Tuesday.
"No, we'll make a decision in the next couple of days because then we have to prepare for the game.
"If Gareth is not available we have to prepare to see what team we’re going to play, so we’ll make it sooner rather than later."