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Bale set to complete a milestone with Wales

Gareth Bale at Wales
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Gareth Bale has returned to partial training after his setback, and is expected to complete a major milestone with his national team, Wales.

Gareth Bale is approaching a major milestone in his international career with Wales, as he has been called up for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.

In fact, this will be his 100th cap for his nation as Robert Page’s side will clash against Belarus and Belgium later this month.

Bale has only played for three matches for Real Madrid this season following a knee injury since early September. However, Page has backed the 32-year-old in completing a great honour for Wales.

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“Gareth is in a good place. He’s exactly where we and the medical team thought he should be,” Page told BBC Sport Wales. “I spoke to him on Saturday and he’s raring to go. He’s back on the grass and doing absolutely everything possible to get himself 100 per cent fit.

“He’s not in full-time training yet, but we’ve got another week and where we want him to be. If we have to adhere to a plan they want to put in place we’d be prepared to do it. Because we want Gareth as part of the squad.

“He’s got a good relationship with the manager and medical team there, and so have we. Conversations are to be had and it’s about trusting each other.”

Moreover, the head coach knows that Madrid will not interfere with Bale’s duties with his national teammates.

“If he declares himself fit I can’t see why they wouldn’t. They’ve been very supportive,” he added.

“If there are any issues I think it will come from maybe Gareth pushing himself too hard and having a slight knockback. But he’s far too experienced to do something like that. I don’t think Gareth not playing will have an impact on my team selection for the Belarus game.

“He’s a fit lad who doesn’t half look after himself really well. I know it’s not the same as playing games. But when you’ve got someone like Gareth Bale coming back into the squad he’ll be considered to start games.”

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