Gareth Bale ruled out of Wales' final World Cup qualifiers
CARDIFF. October 3. KAZINFORM - Gareth Bale will not be fit for Wales' final two World Cup qualifying games against Macedonia and Belgium despite being named in their squad.
The 24-year-old has played just three games for Real Madrid since his world-record move from Tottenham and is currently sidelined by a thigh injury.
Wales play Macedonia in Cardiff on 11 October then go to Belgium on the 15th. Captain Ashley Williams is included despite his ankle ligament injury, while James Collin is left out.
West Ham United centre-back Collins was criticised by Chris Coleman after the 3-0 defeat against Serbia in Cardiff on 10 September, when the Wales manager claimed the Collins had rejected the chance to join the squad ahead of the game.
The 30-year-old defender insisted he would never turn his country down and that he had not received a message asking him to join up.
But despite the fitness doubts over Swansea centre-back Williams, Coleman has opted to omit Collins for Wales' last two Group A games.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that he expects Bale to use the next 15 days to recover from his latest injury and Coleman confirmed that the forward will not take the pitch for Wales.
"We have spoken to the doctor and we will be without him [Bale], but we said all along it is very tough for him to have had no pre-season and be thrown in at the deep end," Coleman said.
There is a welcome return for Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, who missed September's defeats to Macedonia and Serbia through injury, but Crystal Palace midfielder Jonathan Williams is absent.
Craig Bellamy is included for what looks likely to be his final competitive games for the Dragons.
The Cardiff forward has made it clear he does not see himself taking part in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. The upcoming double-header could be crucial for Coleman's future as Wales manager.
He is still in negotiations to extend his deal beyond the current campaign and Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford hashinted that much could depend on results in the next two World Cup qualifiers.
Wales are bottom of Group A but could leap-frog Macedonia with victory at the Cardiff City Stadium, although Coleman's side must then face leaders Belgium in Brussels.