Gareth Bale has said he is ready to play for as long as required when Wales host Austria hoping to secure a World Cup play-off final berth, despite playing only 77 minutes since November.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Real Madrid manager, said Bale missed the clásico on Sunday because he was unwell but reports in Spain suggested he had a back injury and the Wales captain, while refusing to divulge the reason behind his omission, insisted he was capable of lasting the distance in Cardiff on Thursday.
