Gareth Bale: No Real Madrid demand for rest - Coleman

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Gareth BaleImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Gareth Bale has started all nine games for Wales in the Euro 2016 qualifiers

Euro 2016 qualifiers: Wales v Andorra

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Tuesday, 13 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 live and online

Real Madrid have not asked for Gareth Bale to be rested for Tuesday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra in Cardiff, says Wales boss Chris Coleman.

Bale played 90 minutes in Saturday's defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina despite having only just returned from injury.

Real team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has been released by Portugal for their game in Serbia but Bale is with Wales.

"There's been no demand from Real Madrid on if he starts how long he will play," said Coleman.

"Real Madrid have always been first class."

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Bale suffered a calf injury while playing for Real's Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on 15 September.

He missed his club's next three games, but returned as a late substitute in the Madrid derby on 4 October.

The 26-year-old showed no ill-effects on Saturday as Wales lost 2-0 in Bosnia but still qualified from Group B, and insisted after the game he was determined to play again on Tuesday.

Portugal have also qualified so have decided they can do without Ronaldo, but Coleman revealed the only contact from Real since Saturday was a congratulatory text message from manager Rafael Benitez to Wales assistant manager Osian Roberts.

Will Coleman make changes?

Image source, BBC Sport
Image caption,

Wales and Belgium have qualified from Group B with a game to spare

Having already secured qualification, Wales will have the luxury of playing free from pressure at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday when they end their campaign against Andorra.

The visitors have lost all nine Euro 2016 qualifiers, and have never won a competitive fixture away from home.

But Coleman said he will resist any temptation to experiment with his team selection or formation as he looks to ensure a winning conclusion to a historic campaign.

"I had a team and a formation in my head before the Bosnia game and I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with that. And if one or two who started against Bosnia won't play against Andorra it won't be based on performances. It's horses for courses.

"Physically there was a lot of output in the Bosnia game from certain players, so that will affect what we do against Andorra."

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