Wales name Gareth Bale and 16-year-old Ethan Ampadu for Austria and Moldova games
Friday 25 August 2017 13:14, UK
Gareth Bale and 16-year-old Ethan Ampadu have been included in the Wales squad to take on Austria and Moldova in next month's World Cup Qualifiers.
Bale was suspended for June's Group D draw in Serbia after he was booked against Republic of Ireland, but the Real Madrid forward is included along with Joe Ledley.
Chris Coleman keeps faith with Ledley, who is without a club after leaving Crystal Palace, and has also handed teenage Chelsea defender Ampadu a first official call-up.
Neil Taylor and Joe Allen are banned for the Austria game in Cardiff on September 2 but will be available in Moldova three days later.
Coleman said: "It's nice to have Gareth back and also Neil Taylor for the Moldova game.
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"Gareth is a natural athlete, but at this stage of the season some players take a bit longer to find their best. Is he 100 per cent where he could be? We'll see where he is when we get him.
"But in fairness to some of the guys who went to Serbia that squad was absolutely magnificent."
Coleman confirmed Ledley will start against Austria if he is "anywhere near fit", adding: "I'm flabbergasted Joe is not with a club, although he's obviously had offers.
"He'll have a little bit extra to do in training, but when you've got someone like that you've got to make the most of it. If he's anywhere near, we won't have any qualms of putting him in."
Wales go into the double header third in Group D on eight points, four behind Serbia and Ireland.
Squad: Hennessey, Ward, A Davies, B Davies, Chester, Taylor, Gunter, Richards, Collins, Lockyer, A Williams, Ampadu, Allen, Edwards, King, Evans, Ledley, Ramsey, J Williams, Bale, Watkins, Robson-Kanu, Vokes, Lawrence, Woodburn.