GARETH BALE has fallen back in love with football.
That’s the verdict of Wales caretaker boss Robert Page, who has seen Bale rediscover his appetite for the game since his loan move from Real Madrid to Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham.
Gareth Bale is set to feature in Wales’ Nations League clash with the Republic of IrelandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bale, 31, endured a miserable spell in the final years of his trophy-laden spell at the Bernabeu.
But the Dragons captain is back playing and scoring for Spurs with a smile on his face and primed to fire for his country against Ireland in the Nations League tomorrow.
Page said: “We’ve now got a player on our hands that has fallen back in love with the game.
“The older you get you do lose sharpness but I’ve not seen any evidence of that in the last two days of training. The things I saw were the other way.
“He’s looking sharp, bright and powerful. He’s in great shape and some of the things he did in training you took a step back. It was great to watch.
“He looks like he’s enjoying his football, being at a place like Tottenham where he has a manager that wants him there and to play 90 minutes consistently or they are building him up to that. Hopefully we will reap the rewards of that as well.”
Bale scored his first goal on his second coming at Spurs against Brighton and his form and fitness has improved with every passing week.
Now Ben Davies has tipped his Wales and Tottenham team-mate to make the difference for his country, starting with Ireland’s visit to Cardiff.
Davies, 27, said: “I see him pretty much every day and it’s an excited Gareth Bale and one who has already got goals for Spurs and who can do it again with Wales. He’s training well, working hard and I’m delighted to have him as a team-mate.
“I don’t think anyone in Wales has doubted the ability he’s got. It’s great to see him back in full flow. If we have someone like him firing on full cylinders, he’s one of the best in the world.
“Players who can produce special stuff in difficult moments are the difference between the very good and the top players. We are lucky he can do that for us and he’s done it for us many times.”
Bale was given a rare night off for Wales in Thursday’s goalless friendly draw with the USA.
That selection move by Page and absent boss Ryan Giggs, who is bail following his arrest for an alleged assault on his on-off girlfriend – will have received the thumbs up by Bale’s club manager Mourinho.
The Spurs chief feared Wales would destroy the good work Bale has done to build up his fitness following a knee injury sustained on international duty in September.
Mourinho also said he felt uncomfortable with Bale going away to Wales because assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg works for north London rivals Arsenal.
But Davies said: “We saw what was said but we just get on with it. These things happen in football. As far as we’re concerned, it’s just a bit of fun.”
While Wales have managed Bale’s workload so far, the Dragons’ talisman is set to lead from the front.
Page said: “He loves coming away with Wales. As long as I’ve been involved he’s never missed a camp other than the recent one through injury.
“He’s first through the doors, loves being part of it and he has a spring in his step when he comes on camp and that’s exactly what I’ve seen in the last couple of days.
“We’ve all got a job to do and want to win games. Of course, we’re sympathetic with club managers and the demands put on them by the current situation with Covid-19.
“I’ve been a club manager myself and you want your players fit every game – it’s no different for us when we’re on camp.
“Our full focus is on Ireland – that’s the most important game. We can’t even look to Wednesday against Finland. We’re going to pick the team which gives us the best chance to win.”
Page held a debrief with Giggs after the USA game and the gaffer who is still sidelined at his Manchester home, passed on a message to his Welsh squad.
He said: “In the main he was pleased with the positive of a clean sheet. It was important we kept the momentum going for Sunday and we certainly achieved that. He has reiterated to the staff the importance of the two games.”
Two wins for Wales will ensure they finish top of their Nations League group, win promotion and a place among European football’s elite and effectively book a World Cup play-off spot.
Page added: “There’s everything to play for in these two games.”
Wayne Hennessey was pictured with close pal Bale at training on Saturday.
But the Crystal Palace goalkeeper is not part of the squad and continuing his rehab following a quad injury sustained winning his 94th cap against Bulgaria last month.
Hennessey was not named in Palace’s 25-man Premier League squad and is not expected to return to action until January.
Wales (probable): Ward; C Roberts, Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Ampadu, Morrell; Bale, J Williams, James; Moore.
Tottenham boss Mourinho admits he feels ‘uncomfortable’ about Bale playing for Wales because assistant manager works for Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
