Bale injury hits Wales hard ahead of England clash

Wales today announced that Gareth Bale will not take part in this Saturday's vital Euro 2012 qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium with a hamstring injury.



Bale's injury is a huge blow for Wales



Bale had been carrying a slight hamstring problem into Tottenham's last game against West Ham at the weekend, which had put doubts over his fitness for the England came. It has not become clear that playing for Spurs at the weekend has aggravated the injury enough to put him out of this weekends game.

There has been rumours of a fall out between Wales and Spurs over the injury but Wales boss Gary Speed was quick to dis spell such rumours.

This is huge blow for the Welsh in the build up to this one, as with Bale's form this season, the Welsh fans were in high hopes of a victory over their neighbours. However, this injury will do nothing to help those hopes. This injury will give England a boost as they would have been weary of the threat the Bale possesses after out playing world class full-backs such as Maicon in this seasons Champions League.

England were favorites before the Bale injury, but will be even more so now with this announcement, however, Wales still carry a threat within their team. Players such as Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey have the ability to make a game of it on Saturday and England will have to be weary of that.



England prepare ahead of big qualifying clash



England go into the game with no injury issues from the original squad that was announced. Andy Carroll is expected to partner Wayne Rooney in attack for England. Wolves midfielder Matt Jarvis will be hoping to make his debut, but that is likely to come from the bench. James Milner, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, Scott Parker and Stewart Downing are all fighting for a place in the midfield along side the likely midfield two of Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry.

Re-instated skipper John Terry is likely to have a new partner in the centre of defence with ex-skipper Rio Ferdinand and Matt Upson out injured. Spurs' Michael Dawson is the most likely replacement, however, he is battling for that place with Bolton's Gary Cahill, Man City's Joleon Lescott and Everton's Phil Jagielka.

Saturday's promises to be an enthralling encounter as Wales have been waiting a long time for revenge after England beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium the last time the teams met, in a World Cup qualifier as Joe Cole gave England a 1-0 win that afternoon in the summer of 2005.