Wales v Netherlands: Chris Coleman unswayed by rest pleas

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are missing for Wales because of fitness issues

Wales manager Chris Coleman has insisted international games should not be viewed as a chance to rest players.

Coleman and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had a public spat about an injury to Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 24.

Wales host Netherlands - who failed to qualify for Euro 2016 - in a friendly on Friday, and Coleman believes all international fixtures are important.

"The fact they haven't qualified means they're a wounded animal and a dangerous one at that," he said.

"We're not a vehicle for clubs to think players can come here and have a rest.

"We'll have 25,000 or 30,000 Welsh people on Friday night who won't be expecting our boys to take it easy and have a rest. They'll come to see us perform for Wales."

Wenger row 'finished'

Coleman had accused Wenger of a "cheap shot" after the Arsenal manager suggested Ramsey's injury was caused by playing for Wales against Andorra on 13 October.

The midfielder played 90 minutes for Arsenal at Watford on 17 October before coming off with a hamstring injury during the Champions League win against Bayern Munich three days later.

Wenger has since said he did not blame Coleman directly for the injury, and the Wales manager says he holds no grudge.

"I reacted to what was said, and rightly so, but that's done now, that's finished. We move on," said Coleman.

"The amount of times I fall out with my staff or my players... if it was to be that we never spoke after that then I probably wouldn't have many friends left."

'Nothing to do with outside influence'

Swansea City manager Garry Monk entered the debate about players' workload during international breaks by saying he hoped Swans defenders Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor would not play 90 minutes against Netherlands.

But Coleman said: "As long as we send players back in a fit and healthy state - which 99 times out of 100 we do - it's not for anyone to suggest who international managers pick.

"I've already got a team in my head. It's got nothing to do with outside influence.

"I can't complain because the last three or four years has been good in terms of relationships with clubs."

The Netherlands finished fourth in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, winning just twice in 10 games

Bale flying home to watch

As well as Ramsey, Wales will also be without Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale against Netherlands.

The 26-year-old sustained a calf injury in October, prompting Coleman to leave him out of the squad for Friday's friendly at Cardiff City Stadium.

Bale has since returned to action with Real - playing the full 90 minutes in Sunday's defeat by Sevilla - but Coleman believes Wales and the Spanish club are managing his game-time correctly.

"He's had a tough time in terms of his injury. It's been a bit stop-start so it's definitely the right move for us to go and Real Madrid," he added.

"We think he will be here for the game. It'll be good to see him.

"It's all about the player, his wellbeing and make sure he is fit so we've definitely taken the right option there."