World Cup qualifiers

SCOTLAND boss Steve Clarke reckons his side won’t face Ukraine for a spot at the World Cup until SEPTEMBER.And it could mean Wales face a lengthy wait to find out if they will react Qatar 2022 in December.
Steve Clarke does not believe Scotland will face Ukraine in June, with September more realisticCredit: PA
Scotland were set to face Ukraine this month in a World Cup semi-final playoff.
But Fifa delayed the match until June after Ukraine was invaded by Russia.
However, the eastern European country continues to come under siege from Vladimir Putin.
And Scotland boss Clarke can’t see how Ukraine will be able to play the game this summer.
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The winner of Scotland vs Ukraine is set to take on the winner of Wales vs Austria.
And should Gareth Bale’s side come through, they could be waiting a while to play the crunch playoff final.
Clarke said: “Is that [a further delay] looking more and more likely given the situation on the ground?
“If you’re honest about the situation, then, yes.
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“It’s difficult to see how we’ll be playing them in June. It’s not just about the fixture.
“It’s the fact they need to get together, have a training camp and get players on the pitch with a proper period to prepare for such an important game.
“Andriy Shevchenko, who I know from my time at Chelsea, spoke well about the situation and said they’d want to play.
“But the way the situation is, I think they should get as much time as possible to try to make our game happen.
“It’s a horrible situation and the quicker we know we’re going to play Ukraine at Hampden the better, because it’ll mean the war has stopped and we’re all trying to move forward.” More

GARETH BALE is one of three Wales big-hitters being nursed ahead of Thursday’s World Cup date with destiny.The Dragons captain took part in training on Tuesday in a major boost before the play-off semi- final tie with Austria in Cardiff.
Gareth Bale is being nursed back to healthCredit: Alamy
But Bale, as well as Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu, had their workload carefully managed by fitness staff because they were in recovery mode.
Real Madrid superstar Bale missed Sunday’s El Clasico 4-0 hammering by Barcelona after Carlo Ancelotti said he did not feel well, while reports in Spain claimed Bale had a ‘bad back’.
Ampadu and Ramsey played for Venezia and Rangers respectively three days ago but Wales took no chances before the crunch home clash as they bid to reach a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
During a warm-up running drill where the players were put in groups of four, fitness coach Ronan Kavanagh said on Wales’ Instagram live: “Lads on recovery, take it nice and easy.”
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’A GREAT PROBLEM’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Bale warned Wales starlet Johnson is hot on his heels ahead of WC clash
Bale, who has played just 77 minutes of club football for Real since featuring against Real Betis on August 28, replied ‘OK’ to the instruction.
After back-to-back Euros, the 32-year-old is desperate to reach the Qatar finals but boss Robert Page faces a big dilemma over how many minutes his talisman can give Wales, especially as the tie could go to extra-time.
Bale returned from a two-month lay-off to win his 100th cap against Belarus in the 5-1 victory in November. But the forward lasted just 45 minutes before picking up a calf injury.
Since then his only appearances came against Villarreal before a three-minute Champions League cameo as a substitute away in the last-16, first leg to Paris Saint-Germain last month.
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Ethan Ampadu is nearing full fitnessCredit: Reuters
Tottenham’s Ben Davies, 28, said: “It’s a huge boost when you see a player like Gareth alongside you.
“He’s looking sharp in training and if we can get something special out of him in Thursday’s match, we’ll be delighted.
“It’s the type of match we all want to be involved in.
“We are very excited as a squad. After the Euros it feels like we have one more big challenge to overcome but I’m confident that we can deliver.
“If we’re at our best we can get the job done.
“To reach the World Cup would be a very special feeling.”
Fulham defender Neco Williams, 20, on loan from Liverpool, added: “Gareth looks fit and sharp. As long as he feels ready then we all know what he is capable of doing.”
Midfielder Ramsey scored his first Rangers goal in Sunday’s Scottish Premier League win at Dundee on Sunday but, like Bale, the Juventus loanee has struggled with injuries this season.
But boss Page had the luxury of his entire 26-man squad being able to turn out for training.
Aaron Ramsey scored his first Rangers goal at the weekendCredit: Willie Vass
Meanwhile, Neco Williams has hailed the Liverpool full-back schooling he has received from Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The flying Wales defender, 20, trained alongside Robertson and Alexander-Arnold in Jurgen Klopp’s squad until he made the loan switch to Championship leaders Fulham at the end of January.
But Williams believes the steep learning curve at Anfield has only made him a better player.
Williams, who can play either left or right back, said: “I’ve learnt a lot off Robbo. He is obviously one of the best left-backs in the world.
“You learn a lot from him just by training with him every day.
“He’s a great character and whatever you need help with, you can ask him and he will always give you an honest answer. 
“I have learnt massively from him and especially Trent because he is on my side (right) and ahead of me at the minute.
“If Wales overcome Austria in Cardiff then Williams could face a final clash with Scotland’s Robertson with a spot at Qatar at stake. 
The Scots are due to face Ukraine in the other last-four tie in June. That match has been delayed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
When asked if there had been any chat with his Liverpool pal after the semi-final draw was made, Williams added: “There was a bit of banter but I think we will wait a bit closer to the time though.” More

GARETH BALE has handed Wales a major World Cup boost ahead of Thursday’s play-off semi-final against Austria after taking part in training today.The Real Madrid superstar, 32, missed Sunday’s El Clasico 4-0 hammering by Barcelona after Carlo Ancelotti said he didn’t feel well.
Gareth Bale is back in Wales training ahead of their World Cup playoff against AustriaCredit: Getty
Reports in Spain also claimed Bale had a ‘bad back’, but the Wales captain showed few signs of a fitness problem as he laughed and joked with his international team-mates in Cardiff.
The 100-cap star took a full part in the 20-minute session open to the media at their Vale of Glamorgan HQ.
Bale, who has played just 77 minutes of club football with Real since Wales’ last internationals in November, lined up alongside fellow stars Aaron Ramsey and Dan James.
All of Robert Page’s 26-man squad were present for the session on a glorious sunny morning on the outskirts of the Welsh capital.
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But Dragons’ talisman Bale was laughing and joking as the squad were initially split into two groups for stretching, running and ball work warm-up exercises.
Within his warm-up group, Bale was in a set of four including James, Burnley’s Connor Roberts and his old Tottenham pal Joe Rodon, who was part of the ‘Welsh Mafia’ in north London.
Fitness coach Ronan Kavanagh could be heard on Wales’ Instagram live telling Ramsey to go last in the running drills because he was in recovery mode.
Ramsey, who has had an injury-hit season, scored his first Rangers goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Dundee and Wales will be keen to manage their star midfielder before the last-four tie.
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Ethan Ampadu and Bale also followed suit and made their way to the back of their respective lines, which suggests their work loads could be lighter than the rest of the squad in the build-up to the crunch clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Kavanagh said: “Lads on recovery, just take it nice and easy so Rambo just be in and out. If the lads doing recovery can go last so Ethan, Rambo, Bale-o.” Bale replied: “Okay.”
James, who played for Leeds at Wolves last Friday, also wanted to be near the back of the pack.
But Bale was having none of it as he said to James: “You played Friday – that doesn’t count.” 
The fitness coach asked, “Who?” before Bale pointed at the ex-Manchester United winger James.
And Kavanagh agreed with Bale, saying: “Yes, 100 per cent.” 
Bale was then seen giggling as he got his way to go last in the drill.
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The squad then went into three rondo training drills where Bale was part of the senior group alongside Ramsey, Chris Gunter, Joe Allen, Ben Davies, Jonny Williams, Rodon and James.
Wales have not reached a World Cup finals since 1958. More

GARETH BALE has been warned that new kid on the block Brennan Johnson is snapping at his heels – even if he wins his fitness race to lead Wales’ World Cup bid.The Dragons face Austria in Thursday’s home play-off semi-final but Bale is a doubt after Carlo Ancelotti said he missed Real Madrid’s 4-0 El Clasico thumping by Barcelona on Sunday because he was unwell.
Gareth Bale will be assessed by Wales’ medical staffCredit: PA
Brennan Johnson has sparkled for Nottingham ForestCredit: Rex
Reports in Spain also claimed Bale has a ‘bad back’ and the 32-year-old was assessed by Wales’ medical team on Monday after joining up with the squad in Cardiff.
Wales are hopeful captain Bale will be fit but even if the 100-cap star fails to recover in time, national boss Robert Page reckons he has a ready-made replacement in Nottingham Forest wonderkid Johnson.
Page said: “It’s a great problem to have and as a manager that is what you want. You want two great players on your hands and the difficulty of picking which one.
“Gareth has been an absolute legend for his country but he knows he has somebody young in Brennan who is snapping at his heels and is wanting that jersey.”
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Right winger Johnson has lit up the Championship this season and once again impressed as Forest pushed Quadruple-chasing Liverpool all the way in Sunday’s 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the City Ground.
Minutes before Diogo Jota’s winner, Johnson produced a teasing cross which should have resulted in the opening goal by Philip Zinckernagel, who put his effort wide.
The 20-year-old, the son of ex-Forest and Ipswich striker David, who is a close pal of David Beckham having come through the Manchester United youth ranks, has scored 12 goals this season.
His electric form attracted interest from Premier League outfit Brentford in January but a £15million bid for the seven-cap wideman failed.
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But Page believes Wales have another star in the making in Nottingham-born Johnson, who was on loan at League One Lincoln last season.
He added: “He’s playing in the Championship but he is definitely capable of playing higher.
“There were questions 12-18 months ago over whether he could go all the way but he has proven some of the doubters wrong now.
“Gary Brazil at Forest has developed him in a great way. The questions were about his discipline without the ball so they played him as a central midfielder to make sure he tracked players.
“Now he’s almost the finished article – playing well, scoring goals, tracking back – we really have a bright and wonderful player on our hands.
“He could have potentially had a move in January but I like the fact he decided to stay because he’s at a club where he would play. He didn’t go chasing the money. He wanted to stay and get that experience.
“And he’s done the hard yards by going out to lower league clubs to play competitive football at an early age and that pleases me. He didn’t sit at Forest and play in the Under-23s and now he is excelling.
“I’ve been very impressed and he’s playing some of the best football I’ve seen. He’s playing with freedom and is enjoying his football.”
Rob Page is attempting to steer Wales to QatarCredit: PA More