Bale arrives back in Cardiff to join up with Wales squad

Gareth Bale has arrived at the Welsh team hotel in Cardiff and is due to train with the Wales squad later today.

There had been speculation that his new club Real Madrid would ask Wales manager Chris Coleman to leave the 24 year-old out of his squad for the upcoming matches, in Macedonia on September 6 and against Serbia in Cardiff on September 10, so as not to risk their £85m signing getting injured again.

However, speaking at his first press conference as a Real Madrid player yesterday, Bale said: "It's not been ideal but I've been doing my fitness training and I will meet up with Wales."

"I haven't had a lot of match time so that will help my fitness, as well as it being an honour to play for my country.

"It's well known I had a slight injury, which took me a bit of time, but I always wanted to be here in the white shirt of Madrid and hopefully I can get match-time with Wales and come back fit.

"I'm hoping to take it one step at a time and come back in better physical shape. I'm hoping to be involved for the (Real Madrid) game with Villarreal (on September 14)."