Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has cast doubt over whether Gareth Bale will be able to play for Wales in their crucial World Cup play-off clash with Austria on Thursday.
The 32-year-old was omitted from Los Blancos' matchday squad for El Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday night, prompting many concerned people in Wales to question the fitness of their talismanic forward. Reports in Spain ahead of Barcelona's 4-0 demolition job suggested the injury was due to Bale complaining of back pain.
And, after the chastening defeat, Ancelotti gave a brief but ambiguous update on Bale, which has done little to ease concerns over his potential availability for Thursday's play-off tie at Cardiff City Stadium.
