Gareth Bale to miss Wales against England

Last updated : 24 March 2011 By Daily Mail

The Tottenham winger was the key threat to England's hopes of victory in the Euro 2012 qualifier in Cardiff on Saturday.

But Bale has had problems during his recovery from a recent back problem and it is understood he has suffered a hamstring injury. Bale will now be assessed at Tottenham.

Wide boy: The Welsh were pinning most of their hopes on speedster Bale ripping England apart on the flank

The 21-year-old was reported to have been struggling after the weekend draw with West Ham and did not take part in Wales' training sessions on Wednesday.

A statement is due from the Welsh FAbut a post on Twitter from boss Gary Speed's No2 Raymond Verheije suggests they are angry at Bale's latest setback.

Club call: Spurs will now assess Bale

He wrote: 'This morning there will bean official statement by Gary Speed about the situation with Gareth Bale. The incompetent amateurs struck again!'

The England camp are sure to welcome the news.

Manager Fabio Capello has mentioned Bale in the same breath as Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's former Manchester United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo.

Striker Peter Crouch reckons his team-mate at White Hart Lane still has a way to go to catch the two biggest names in the Spanish top flight but he was full of praise for the youngster this week.

Crouch said: 'Gareth is only young, developing. In that position he's got to be up there with the top players in the world. He's done it in the Champions League. What he did to Inter Milan, over two games, showed people what he is capable of and what he will do in the future.

'He'sa top-class player and he's been on fire for the last two years. Sometimes he's unplayable. He's got tremendous pace. He runs the whole length of the pitch with the ball and then he runs the whole length backjust as quickly. Then he's ready to do it again in a minute's time.'

There will now be fears from Tottenham's camp over Bale's availability for their Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.

Spurs travel to the Bernabeu for the first leg on April 5 with the return at White Hart Lane eight days later.

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail