ROB PAGE has told Wales’ main men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey they MUST play regularly at club level to shine at the World Cup.
The long-serving superstars finally achieve their ambition of playing for the Dragons on the biggest stage in November.
Gareth Bale was all smiles at Wales training after securing his country’s place at the World CupCredit: AlamyHe and Aaron Ramsey have been told they must be playing regularly before the winter showpieceCredit: Getty
However, they both have big decisions to make over their club futures to ensure they head for Qatar in prime condition.
Bale, 32, wants a short-term contract to run until the autumn after finishing his nine-year stay with Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Ramsey — who spent the last four months of the season on loan at Rangers — will return to Juventus in July knowing he is currently out of the first-team reckoning.
Championship side Cardiff are looking at possible deals for both players — but there are certain to be other offers.
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Interim Wales boss Page believes Bale risks going into the tournament “undercooked” unless he gets some game time in the five months before the tournament.
He said: “Gareth understands what he needs to do. His problems in the past have been when he is not playing week in, week out. He was undercooked coming into camp for the Belarus game and tweaked his calf.
“He understands he needs to play. It is up to him and his family to decide where is best for him to get in the right frame of mind for November. It might even be as short-term as that.
“He has worked ever so hard throughout his career and he’s the ultimate professional. He has earned the right to lead our country into a World Cup.
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“Whatever he does from now until then it is really important for him to get himself into the best physical condition.”
Bale could well opt to retire after the tournament and Page was asked if it would be possible for the former Spurs star to just train over the next five months.
Page added: “You can do all the training in the world but it doesn’t replicate what you are facing in a game. He needs to have domestic football at whatever level.
“I still think he can play in the Premier League and he has a lot to offer, which I see daily.
“Whatever level he goes into he needs to have that competitive edge to it. Train with a group of people day in, day out and then have some games.”
Page has pencilled in talks with Ramsey, 31, over his plans.
His Gers loan did not work out as hoped, so he will return to Turin for pre-season knowing he is unlikely to feature.
Dragons boss Page said: “At the end of the camp I will have a conversation with him. He’s an experienced player who knows what’s best for him.
“If he has to go back and do a pre-season and see where he is at, then he will probably do that to get himself fit and then make the decision before the window closes and get out. Maybe he’ll have another loan move.”
Page is content that he will be in charge of Wales at the World Cup — as he would have been out of contract now had they lost to Ukraine.
There remains a question mark over what would happen if Ryan Giggs is cleared at a court case later this summer.
But for now the former Watford defender goes into tonight’s Nations League clash against Holland with his mind at rest.
Page said: “It was a bit unnerving coming into camp. I put my full focus on the games but it was in the back of my head that if it didn’t go our way, I was out of contract.”
