Gareth Bale has returned to Real Madrid and will not play in Tuesday’s Nations League clash against the Republic of Ireland, the Football Association of Wales has announced.
Ryan Giggs’ star man missed Wales’ 4-1 friendly defeat to Spain and has now been ruled out of the match-up with Ireland due to muscle stiffness.
He had been expected to travel to Dublin on Monday but has decided to avoid angering Real chiefs by returning to his club side.
Real bosses weren’t happy as they want Bale to be fully fit for their El Clasico trip to bitter rivals Barcelona on October 28.
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Bale trained alone with Giggs’ fitness staff over the weekend and underwent a tough session on Sunday before decided to go home to Madrid.
And Giggs suggested after the loss to Spain at the Principality Stadium that Bale would be absent for the trip across the Irish Sea.
"Gareth is struggling for Tuesday," Giggs said on Thursday.
Bale was among the scorers when Wales beat the Republic in their first Nations League game in September, but midfielder Aaron Ramsey is not underestimating Martin O’Neill’s men.
Ramsey, also a scorer in Cardiff, said following the Spain loss: "It’s going to be a blow being without Gareth.
"We know how important he is for us as he has scored so many goals.
"But we are looking forward to that test and hopefully we can get back to winning ways."
Ipswich winger Gwion Edwards was drafted in to the senior squad for the first time on Friday as cover for Bale.
Sheffield United defender Kieron Freeman has also been drafted into the Wales squad ahead of Dublin with fitness concerns over Ethan Ampadu (knee) and Chris Mepham (knock).
Nottingham-born Freeman, 26, has played at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level for Wales but has yet to make an appearance for the senior team.
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