World Cup

Wales manager Chris Coleman hails 'devastating' Gareth Bale

By Liam Power, Reporter | 16 October 2012

Chris Coleman reveals that he would not swap Welsh winger Gareth Bale for any other player as he prepares to face Croatia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

Chris Coleman has declared that he would not swap star forward Gareth Bale for any other player in world football.

Bale produced a stunning late strike from range to complete a match-wining brace against Scotland last week, earning Wales their first points of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Coleman has admitted that the Tottenham Hotspur winger, who has five goals in his last five competitive international matches, is irreplaceable.

He told The Mirror: "I wouldn't swap him for anyone else, to be fair. Anyone can see, when he's got the ball he's devastating.

"He's a terrific player. His work-rate is excellent, he comes away with Wales and plays with passion and incredible ability. You'd be crazy to try and swap him.

"He's scored all our goals so far and I know people are talking about him. He's a show-stopper and people pay money to come and watch him play."

Wales will turn to Bale to produce heroics once again on Tuesday as they travel to Croatia without the suspended Aaron Ramsey and injured Craig Bellamy.