Tuesday 7 June 2016 14:30, UK
Gareth Bale's experience of the "circus" surrounding elite-level football can help Wales at Euro 2016, Chris Coleman says.
The Real Madrid star remains the world's most expensive footballer three years after leaving Tottenham for Spain in an £85m deal.
Bale has learned to cope with the scrutiny that accompanies his status, and Coleman believes his ability to handle pressure will be a useful example to some of Wales' less-heralded squad members.
Speaking at a press conference at Wales' Dinard base Coleman said: "He's used to all this, the circus, the cameras in his face, he's used to it.
"His experience will come in handy. Some of our players play Championship football, some lower, they won't be used to it. It's nice to have someone the other end with all the hype and pressure and he has shown how to handle it."
Wales go into their first major finals in 58 years on the back of a heavy defeat in Sweden and with just one win from their past seven games.
But Coleman said: "Don't read too much into the disappointment in Sweden. The mood is high, we're super excited to be here and the welcome we've had has been fantastic.
"Sometimes when you have a defeat you look for intricate excuses why it happen. The players know why, but we also know why we are here. What we are good at is meeting challenges when we are 100% mentally and physically where we need to be."
Joe Allen and Hal Robson-Kanu should be fine for Saturday's Bordeaux opener against Slovakia, according to the manager, while Joe Ledley could feature just five weeks after breaking a bone in his leg.
"He's been doing everything the rest of the team have been doing," Coleman said of Ledley. "With that injury, if you get a kick directly on it it's a different question, but he's been doing exactly what the rest of the players have been doing."