Friday 16 March 2018 07:41, UK
Gareth Bale is set to play a full part in Wales' China Cup campaign little more than a week before Real Madrid resume their Champions League defence.
New Wales manager Ryan Giggs confirmed Bale will play in both of Wales' two matches in the four-team tournament in Nanning, as long as he is not injured playing for Real on Saturday.
Giggs believes the added game time will benefit Bale with Real's Champions League quarter-final set for either April 3 or 4.
"All players that go out are preparing for playing both games," Giggs said.
"But you have to be sensible as well. If players get a knock when they are on tour and we feel it's better they go back, they will go back early.
"There are players for who it is an ideal trip for them to get games and minutes under their belt - and it is for Gareth.
"He's started the majority of Real's league games recently, but he was on the bench for the two Champions League games.
"I was at the first game [against Paris St Germain] where he came on and did well in the last 20 or 25 minutes, and there is a case with a lot of the players where they need games."
Giggs has named a 26-man squad for the tournament - his first games in charge - but is without Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey and West Brom striker Hal Robson-Kanu, while Reading midfielder David Edwards has retired from international football.
Ramsey requires minor surgery and Giggs said: "We've been in discussions with Arsenal and Aaron over the last couple of weeks.
"He's got a small procedure. It's the ideal time in the international break to get it done.
"It's a blow because he's a quality player, but it's the best thing to do for the future and for Aaron."
Wales will get the tournament underway when they play hosts China at Nanning's Guangxi Sports Center on March 22 before meeting either the Czech Republic or Uruguay for third place or in the final.
