Gareth Bale named in Wales squad picked by absent manager Ryan Giggs

Gareth Bale has returned to a Wales squad selected by absent manager Ryan Giggs.

Skipper Bale missed Wales’ October games against England, the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria with a knee injury which delayed his Tottenham debut following his season-long loan move from Real Madrid.

But Bale is back in a 29-man squad which was selected by Giggs before his arrest on suspicion of assaulting a woman on Sunday night.

Giggs was arrested and later bailed over an alleged row with “on-off girlfriend” Kate Greville at his Manchester home on Sunday, The Sun newspaper reported.

A statement released on behalf of Giggs said he denied “all allegations of assault made against him”.

The 46-year-old’s assistant Robert Page will be in charge for the three games and will be supported by Arsenal coach Albert Stuivenberg.

The Football Association of Wales took the unusual step on Thursday of announcing the squad for the upcoming games via their social media platforms rather than hold a press conference on Zoom.

Wales, who are top of Nations League Group B after three wins and a draw, are without first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and his deputy Adam Davies through injury.

Giggs has recalled Dunfermline’s Owain Fon Williams, who was part of the squad which reached the semi-final of Euro 2016 under Chris Coleman, and Newport’s Tom King.

Defenders Tom Lockyer and James Lawrence are also recalled and Newport midfielder Josh Sheehan wins a first senior call-up after being preferred to Cardiff’s Will Vaulks.

Tom Lawrence features in a Wales squad for the first time this year after summer surgery.