Wales face the United States in a friendly on Thursday before Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland (November 15) and Finland (November 18); manager Ryan Giggs will not be involved after being arrested on suspicion of assault
Wednesday 11 November 2020 15:02, UK
Wales assistant manager Rob Page has confirmed Ryan Giggs will help to select the team to face the United States on Thursday despite being absent from the international camp.
Giggs will miss Thursday's friendly at the Liberty Stadium, as well as the upcoming Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, after being arrested on suspicion of assault earlier this month.
The 46-year-old former Manchester United winger has denied all allegations made against him and has been bailed amid an ongoing Greater Manchester Police investigation.
Giggs "mutually agreed" with the Football Association of Wales to miss the international camp while investigations continue, with Page instead taking charge of the team for the next three games.
And the former Wales captain says he will continue the work of Giggs in his absence.
"Nothing changes. We're in such a good place at the minute. We're in a good place with regards to coming into these last two qualifiers. So if it's not broke, then don't fix it," said Page.
"There's momentum going into this camp and it's important against the United States that we keep that momentum going. We've set ourselves up nicely for two tough games, two tough qualifiers.
"But we know the rewards are there at the end of it. It will continue to be Ryan's squad and we'll just oversee things on camp to get us through these three games."
When asked if Giggs would have some part to play in picking the team, Page added: "Yeah, amongst all the staff, we'll have our input and our say.
"I know he's a phone call away if I need a chat or need to talk about anything that's been brought up on camp."
Jose Mourinho has warned Wales not to "destroy" the work that Tottenham have done in nurturing Gareth Bale back to fitness after a knee injury, following his loan move from Real Madrid in September.
Page insists Bale is now fully fit and available to play in all three matches but has suggested he could rest the 31-year-old against the United States, with the Nations League games a priority.
"It is still something we are considering because we've now got a fully fit Gareth Bale," said Page.
"I've had a conversation with him and he is fighting fit. The team selection will be decided but we will have one eye on the two qualifiers, which are really important for us."
Page says he empathises with Mourinho and has moved to reassure the Tottenham head coach.
"I've been a club manager myself - albeit, we didn't have too many players leave for international duty," added the former Port Vale and Northampton boss.
"I can empathise. We're borrowing his players to come and play for Wales, so absolutely we're going to look after them.
"We've got one of the best medical teams in the country and we trust that what they do will be in the best interests of the players, to get them fit.
"We're not going to undo any of the work that's been done at club level and that's irrespective of whether you're Gareth Bale, or whoever. We trust that what we deliver is elite sport and elite preparation for games."
