Gareth Bale in Wales squad to face Republic of Ireland

Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for the friendly against Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on 14 August.

The Tottenham forward is the subject of intense speculation over a possible world-record transfer to Real Madrid.

But the 24-year-old is set to turn out for Chris Coleman's national side whatever his club situation.

Cardiff City forward Craig Bellamy, 34, is also included, as is Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Hennessey spent 16 months on the sidelines after suffering cruciate ligament damage against Sunderland in April 2012, but returned to action last month in Wolves's pre-season programme.

Bale has not travelled with Spurs for their friendly with Monaco as he is nursing an injury, but Coleman think he will recover in time to be involved with Wales next week.

"When you play football like he does - he is very dynamic, very powerful and unbelievably quick - you are going to pick up niggles, nothing major," Coleman said.

"It is nothing that we are worried about. If it was serious, then we would have known before now.

"Unless we are told that he is unavailable, we will just do what we've always done, and that is expect him to be there. You have to look at it and say 'ok, there is a lot going on'.

"I am sure with what is going on in terms of the transfer, there is a lot on his mind and Tottenham's mind.

"I don't get involved with what is going on with Gareth's transfer. Whatever is going to happen is up to Tottenham and Gareth. We have picked the squad, and he is in it."

Coleman has selected a strong squad for the fixture against the Republic, which comes just three days before the new Premier League season kicks off.

There are also places for Swansea defenders Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor and Ben Davies, Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and Celtic's Joe Ledley.

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has suggested that veteran forward Bellamy should consider retiring from international duty to help prolong his club career, especially with a draining Premier League campaign awaiting the newly-promoted Welsh side.

Bellamy has scored 19 goals in 74 games for Wales since making his full international debut against Jamaica at Ninian Park in 1998.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City player has previously said representing Wales is "like a drug".

Bellamy has indicated that he will be available to his country until the end of the present World Cup campaign, which is likely to conclude in October with Wales realistically unlikely to qualify from Group A.

Wales are lying 13 points behind leaders Belgium and 10 adrift of second-placed Croatia.

The friendly against the Republic will help Coleman prepare his side for the remaining qualifiers away to Macedonia on 6 September and then against Serbia in Cardiff four days later.

The group fixtures conclude with the return against Macedonia on 11 October, then a trip to face Belgium on 15 October.

The Football Association of Wales, meanwhile, has announced a four-year sponsorship extension with Vauxhall Motors.

The sponsorship, which began in early 2011, will now run until July 2018.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "There is an optimism surrounding the future of Welsh football and we are delighted that Vauxhall will be an integral part of it."

Wales squad

Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion), Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers), Ben Davies (Swansea City), James Collins (West Ham United), Danny Gabbidon (Crystal Palace), Chris Gunter (Reading), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Sam Ricketts (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Joe Allen (Liverpool), Jack Collison (West Ham United), Andy King (Leicester City), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Sunderland), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Craig Bellamy (Cardiff City), Simon Church (Charlton Athletic), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Burnley).

Wales Under-21 squad

To play Finland in a Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifying game (at Bangor City's BookPeople Stadium, Wed 14 Aug, 16:00 BST).

Connor Roberts (Cheltenham Town), Danny Ward (Liverpool), Daniel Alfei (Swansea City), Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Morgan Fox (Charlton Athletic), Kieron Freeman (Derby County), Elliott Hewitt (Ipswich Town), Scott Tancock (Swansea City), Joe Walsh (Crawley Town), Billy Bodin (Torquay United), Chris Dawson (Leeds United), Emyr Huws (Manchester City), Lloyd Isgrove (Southampton), Lee Lucas (Swansea City), Wes Burns (Bristol City), Jake Cassidy (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers), Tom Lawrence (Manchester United).