Wednesday 4 October 2017 15:55, UK
Real Madrid have confirmed that Gareth Bale's calf injury is not as serious as first feared and he has not torn a muscle.
Bale will sit out Wales' World Cup Qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland this week, having missed Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Espanyol due to the muscle strain he suffered against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last Tuesday.
After examining the player, Real Madrid said in a statement he has "swelling but no tear in the soleus muscle of his left leg" and that his "recovery will be monitored".
The attacker was withdrawn from the Wales squad after a scan on the injured calf, dealing a major blow to their hopes of qualification.
Bale was ruled out following talks between the Football Association of Wales and his club Real Madrid, and Barnsley striker Tom Bradshaw has been called up to replace the 28-year-old.
An FAW statement read: "The Football Association of Wales can confirm that Gareth Bale will miss the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Republic of Ireland.
"Bale - who missed Real Madrid's game against Espanyol on Sunday - arrived with the rest of the Wales squad on Sunday and attended Monday's annual FAW Awards dinner at the team headquarters in Cardiff.
"But, following dialogue with Real Madrid, Bale was sent for a scan and results confirmed that he wouldn't be fit to feature."
Bale has scored 26 goals in his 68 Wales appearances and played a huge role in their memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals last summer.
His absence could open the door for Liverpool teenager Ben Woodburn to make his first Wales start.
The 17-year-old made a dramatic debut last month, when he scored the winner within five minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute against Austria.
Wales are currently second in qualifying Group D and two wins are likely to guarantee them at least a place in next month's play-offs.
But they are only a point clear of third-placed Republic of Ireland, who they face in a potentially pivotal showdown on Monday night.
