Gareth Bale can become Wales top goalscorer - Chris Coleman

Gareth Bale can become Wales' all-time leading goal scorer, according to manager Chris Coleman.

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush holds the record with 28 goals, while Real Madrid forward Bale, 25, has 14.

"He's young enough. Going on what he's already done, he's going to play enough games to surpass that," said Coleman.

Wales face Bosnia-Hercegovina in their second Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday, having won their opening fixture 2-1 in Andorra thanks to two goals from Bale.

The £85m world's most expensive signing has scored 11 goals in his last 16 matches for Wales, while his overall record stands at 14 goals from 45 caps.

There could be added pressure on Bale against Bosnia, following injuries to two of Wales' most important midfielders, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen of Liverpool.

Former Swansea City midfielder Allen has not played since suffering a knee injury in Wales' 2-1 win in Andorra on 9 September and has since had a double hernia operation.

Ramsey is sidelined by a hamstring injury he suffered in the north London derby against Spurs which could keep him out of action for up to two months.

Wigan midfielder Emyr Huws has become the 10th player to withdraw from the squad because of an ankle injury.

But Coleman believes Bale, who was named the 2014 Football Association of Wales player of the year on Monday, will be a potent threat on his own.

"He's one of the best players in the world," said Coleman.

"He can score a goal out of nothing or create a goal out of nothing.

"If you've got someone with that ability, it's not just what he gives to your own players, it's what he does to the opposition.

Chris Coleman's Wales side are currently 29th in the world rankings, their highest placing since 1993

"When the opposition walk on to the pitch knowing they're up against someone like that, psychologically it's fantastic. It's a huge boost for us."

Caps record

Having already amassed 45 caps, Bale could also soon have Neville Southall's record number of appearances for Wales in his sights.

Former Everton goalkeeper Southall won 92 caps, and Coleman thinks a number of his players could break Southall's record.

"Chris Gunter's got over 50 caps. Nobody talks about Chris. We all talk about Baley and Rambo (Aaron Ramsey)," said Coleman.

"I say it constantly to our younger players: 'Go and win 100 caps.'

"We've got a lot of players who are young enough, dedicated enough and have the mentality to surpass that."