Gareth Bale: Wales star will not face Republic of Ireland
- Published
Gareth Bale was presented with an award for being Wales' top goalscorer
Uefa Nations League: Republic of Ireland v Wales |
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Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Tuesday, 16 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST |
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 live, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary. Highlights on Match of the Day Wales, BBC Two Wales, at 23:10 BST. |
Gareth Bale has been ruled out of Wales' Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old missed their 4-1 defeat by Spain on Thursday, and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) confirmed Bale has returned to Real Madrid.
The European champions have a hectic eight-day period following the international break.
Bale "will not travel to Dublin", said the FAW.
Real are in La Liga and Champions League action against Levante and Viktoria Plzen before travelling to Barcelona for El Clasico on Sunday, 28 October.
Wales seemed resigned to being without Bale, and Ipswich winger Gwion Edwards was drafted in to the senior squad for the first time on Friday.
"It's going to be a blow being without Gareth," said midfielder Aaron Ramsey before Bale's absence was confirmed.
"We know how important he is for us as he has scored so many goals.
"But we are looking forward to that test and hopefully we can get back to winning ways."
Ryan Giggs' side are also missing injured Ethan Ampadu and Chris Mepham with uncapped Kieron Freeman having also been added to the squad.