Wales World Cup watch: Aaron Ramsey returns from injury

Aaron Ramsey has made nine appearances for Nice since joining the Ligue 1 side in August, scoring one goal

The countdown to Qatar is well under way with the wait for Wales' first appearance at a World Cup in 64 years set to end on 21 November when they take on the United States.

With players eager to cement a place in Rob Page's 26-man squad - and supporters desperate to see them avoid injuries - BBC Sport Wales is keeping a watchful eye on Wales' World Cup hopefuls.

Ramsey returns, Allen still out

Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey were both in contention to return for their clubs last weekend after missing the climax to Wales' Nations League campaign.

The midfield duo both missed the defeats to Belgium and Poland with hamstring injuries.

Although Allen was back in training ahead of Swansea's game at West Bromwich Albion, but the fixture came too soon and the 32-year-old missed his side's 3-2 win.

The former Liverpool and Stoke midfielder sustained his injury in the 3-0 win over Hull City before the international break, but was not deemed serious, with Swans boss Russell Martin saying: "He's back in training and been great, he's looked good."

Former Arsenal man Ramsey, though, returned to the Nice squad to take on Paris St-Germain in Saturday's late kick-off, after being declared fit for the Ligue 1 match-up against a PSG side boasting the likes of Lionel Messi and Kyllian Mbappe.

Ramsey, 31, had been out since picking up the injury against Monaco on 4 September, but managed 61 minutes at Parc de Princes before being substituted in a match won 2-1 by PSG.

On Thursday Ramsey was an 84th-minute replacement as Nice beat Czech Republic side Slovacko 1-0 in a Europa Conference League group game.

Gareth Bale has 108 caps and 40 goals for Wales

Gareth Bale was an 85th minute substitute as Los Angeles FC won away at Portland Timbers 2-1 on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Adam Davies returned for Sheffield United as the Championship leaders drew 1-1 with Birmingham City after coming through an under-21 fixture in midweek. The three-cap 30-year-old suffered medial ligament damage to his knee in pre-season but was named on the bench.

Davies and Wilson still out

Before the weekend, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte refused to reveal if Ben Davies had recovered from the injury that ruled him out of Wales' final games before the World Cup.

The 29-year-old suffered a hairline fracture below his knee before the international break, with Conte initially hopeful the defender would be fit for the North London derby at Arsenal.

But there was no sign of Davies when the team-sheets were revealed at the Emirates Stadium.

Fulham's Harry Wilson remains absent from action but is targeting a return from knee injury by the end of October, while Bournemouth's David Brooks is nursing a hamstring strain. The 25-year-old - who revealed he is cancer free in May after being diagnosed with diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma a year ago - suffered the setback during a recent outing for the Cherries' development side.

Fellow midfielder Rubin Colwill missed Cardiff City's home 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday having impressed for Wales off the bench in the 1-0 loss at home against Poland.

However, Cardiff interim boss Mark Hudson moved to "ease" any club and World Cup fears over Colwill's fitness.

The 20-year-old remains sidelined with a "knock" for Cardiff's Tuesday home game with Blackburn but Hudson said of the injury: "It's not a big one, to ease everybody's fears - it's not going to be long term.

"I don't think they [Wales] should be worried, it's something both club and country know where he is at.

"As I said before he has had a huge growth spurt which we are all aware of. We are working with them, the two [sets of] physios working together from club and country, it's just about the both of us working to get him on the grass as consistently as possible.

"We don't want him to break down. We want him to build his way back up and that is where we are at with it. As soon as he is on the grass and we can keep him on that, the better it will be for him and then we look forward to being able to use him.

"It is a great time for him. he has a big focus, as has everyone with Wales. We want to get him on the grass and impacting our team. So when he is ready to train we will be looking forward to it."