Gareth Bale: Spanish media react to 'Miracle in Wales' as forward trains
- Published
Gareth Bale 'ready to go' for Wales, says Ben Davies
Euro 2020 qualifier: Azerbaijan v Wales |
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Venue: Bakcell Arena, Baku Date: Saturday, 16 November Kick-off: 17:00 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Cymru & updates on the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app, plus live text commentary |
Spanish media have hailed the "Miracle in Wales" after Gareth Bale trained with the national team.
Bale has not played for Real Madrid for a month, but looked relaxed as Wales prepared for key Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary.
Spanish newspaper Marca suggested Bale's training session was "certain to raise eyebrows" in Madrid.
Bale appears set to play in Baku, with midfielder Aaron Ramsey poised to make his first appearances of the campaign.
Wales likely need to win in Azerbaijan on 16 November and then beat Hungary at home the following Tuesday to qualify.
Bale's last competitive action was in Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia last month with his continued absence for Real has led to questions about his commitment.
Last week Wales manager Ryan Giggs and Real boss Zinedine Zidane appeared at odds over the player's fitness.
Zidane suggested he was "not ready" to play for Madrid while Giggs hoped the 30-year-old would be fit to face Azerbaijan.
Marca's front page headline talked about the Miracle in Wales with a picture of Bale giving the thumbs up sign in training.
The AS website carried a story claiming: "It will come as no surprise: Gareth Bale trained as normal with Wales . . . having spent the last month working away from the first-team group at Real Madrid."
Elsewhere in social media Wales fans were being encouraged to buy Welsh flags carrying the slogan: "Wales. Golf. Real . . . in that order" in a reference to stories during the summer suggesting Bale was playing golf rather than travelling to friendly matches with Real Madrid.
Giggs has said Bale's fitness would be monitored on a daily basis and suggested it could be good news for his club if he plays for Wales.
"If he turns up and plays two fantastic games for us that can only be good for Real Madrid," said Giggs.
Wales appear to have no fresh injury concerns, with Manchester United's Daniel James and skipper Ashley Williams training .