Ledley urges Wales to keep calm ahead of Republic of Ireland clash

Joe Ledley has called for clear heads as Wales seek to secure a 2018 World Cup play-off spot amid the emotion of a derby game against the Republic of Ireland.

Tom Lawrence's superb second-half strike gave Wales a 1-0 win in Georgia on Friday night - their third successive victory in World Cup qualifying.

Wales would still win Group D - and automatic qualification to next summer's finals in Russia - if they overcome the Republic on Monday and leaders Serbia fail to beat Georgia at home on the same evening.

But it is more likely that Wales and the Republic will be contesting second place in the group and the right to feature in next month's play-offs.

With so much on the line, emotions will be running high in Cardiff, especially as memories remain fresh of their Dublin clash in March.

That game was shrouded in controversy when Republic captain Seamus Coleman suffered a broken leg in a challenge with Neil Taylor, who was sent off in the goalless draw.

Wales head into the final qualifier seeking a fourth consecutive victory for the first time in 36 years.

They hold a one-point advantage over the Republic and a draw should be enough to claim a play-off place.

Captain Ashley Williams also promised Wales will take a positive approach as they attempt to close in on a first World Cup finals appearance since 1958.

Williams also praised matchwinner Lawrence, the Derby striker's first international goal coming in his ninth appearance.

It also arrived at a time when Wales were looking for inspiration with Real Madrid star Gareth Bale out injured.

"He has been around a while and we don't look at him as a young lad any more," Williams said of the 23-year-old Lawrence.

"I know as soon as he set himself up he would score because I have seen it so much in training.

"We said we needed someone before the game as Gaz was out, someone to create something and score a goal and Tom showed his maturity to do that."