Wales manager Chris Coleman: 'Gareth Bale will not play in qualifiers'

Wales manager Chris Coleman has revealed that Gareth Bale will play no part in their World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Belgium, despite being named in the squad.

The 24-year-old Real Madrid star has been included in the setup for next week's matches, but due to the player's current thigh strain, Coleman has ruled him out of competing.

"We've spoken to the doctor and we will be without him," Sky Sports News quotes Coleman as saying.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is confident that Bale will return to action for the Spanish giants in 15 days' time.