Source: PA
Rest will do Bale good - Speed
Wales manager Gary Speed is looking forward to seeing a fully fit and refreshed Gareth Bale next season after losing the services of the Tottenham winger for the national side again.
Bale would have been in the squad for the Carling Nations Cup matches against Scotland and Northern Ireland in Dublin at the end of the month but has been sidelined by an ankle ligament injury sustained against Blackpool at the weekend.
The 21-year-old also missed Wales' Euro 2012 qualifier at home to England in March after pulling out with a hamstring injury - which sparked a club versus country row. Bale has had a stand-out season for Tottenham and Speed believes the enforced rest will do the player good.
"I spoke to Gareth yesterday (Tuesday). He was very positive about it," said the Wales boss. "He assured me that the surgeon told him it was the best possible result, the best-case scenario in terms of the ligaments he has damaged.
"So it will be four to six weeks off and then he can continue training. It is a good thing as he has had a long, tough season so that four to six weeks will do him good I would imagine. I don't think he's had surgery - I don't think he needs it. But he is going to stay at Spurs for his rehabilitation."
