Bale open to Olympic call

Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has said that he would be open to playing for Team GB in this summer's Olympic Games.

FIFA have said that clubs will be forced to release players under the age of 23 for the tournament.

The statement came after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that he would block any call-up for his midfielder Jack Wilshere.

However, the rule will now apply to the Welshman, who will turn 23 just 11 days before the Games begin.

"I would love to play, all things being well," Bale told The Sun. "It's the start of pre-season and there are insurance issues to be resolved. There appear to be a lot of obstacles to get over before I can even start to really think about it.

"At this point I'm in no position to say whether I can or can't play for GB in the Olympics. If anything was to jeopardise Wales as a country in football I wouldn't play.

"I wouldn't want to play because playing for Wales is too important for me."

Bale has 33 caps for his country.