Gareth Bale is confident he can play every minute for Wales in the group stages of the World Cup if required.
The captain has just 28 minutes of action under his belt for Los Angeles since featuring for his country in the Nations League in September. His last act of the domestic campaign was to help fire LA to MLS Cup glory, with Bale heading home a late extra-time equaliser before his side clinched glory over Philadelphia Union in a penalty shootout.
But despite his lack of action in recent months, Bale says he is able to play the full 90 minutes in each of Wales' group fixtures against the United States of America, Iran and England should boss Rob Page ask him to do so.
READ MORE: Get your brilliant 48-page Wales at the World Cup preview special
When asked if he can play throughout the group stages, Bale responded: "Yeah, no problem. I'm fully fit and ready to go. If I need to play three 90s I'll play three 90s."
Concerns have been raised regarding player welfare ahead of the tournament given the alterations made to the schedule to accommodate a winter World Cup.
England's Reece James has already been ruled out of the Qatar showpiece due to injury while others including Senegal's Sadio Mane and Argentina ace Paulo Dybala are in jeopardy of missing the tournament. Bale admits the unusual scheduling of the 2022/23 season has weighed heavily on players mentally.
"It's been difficult, mentally more than anything," said Bale. "I guess for everybody the last three or four weeks it's been difficult, even hearing stories of players going down and knowing they're going to miss the World Cup. Speaking to a few of the boys, even for them having to play this weekend was tough mentally and we're just praying not to have an injury at all because it's such a big occasion. It's been difficult but nothing that isn't normal. We're here now and we're raring to go."
Show your support for Wales
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey says there were no eyebrows raised within the Wales camp following the inclusion of Jonny Williams and Chris Gunter in Page's 26-man squad. The Euro 2016 stars have been pivotal figures for their country over the years, with Page regularly stating his desire to be loyal to those who helped the Red Dragons qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
While some criticised Page's decision to include the League Two pair, Ramsey admits Williams and Gunter are well worthy of their places on the plane to Doha.
"There's no eyebrows raised here, they're so important for us," said the Nice man. "There was no doubt that they deserved this as much as all of us do. It's brilliant that they're here and they can experience a World Cup as will the rest of the team."
Wales kick-start their World Cup campaign against the USA on Monday, November 21. They face Iran four days later before rounding off the group phase of the competition on November 29.
READ NEXT:
