Gareth Bale in fine form for Wales' World Cup bid despite missing clasico - in pictures

Real Madrid star has only played 77 minutes for Spanish giants since August

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  Gareth Bale during a Wales training session at The Vale Resort, Hensol, ahead of their World Cup play-off against Austria. PA

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  Gareth Bale during a Wales training session at The Vale Resort, Hensol, ahead of their World Cup play-off against Austria. PA

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  Gareth Bale reacts with Aaron Ramsey and teammates. Reuters

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  Gareth Bale, Joe Allen, Chris Gunter, Aaron Ramsey and Jonny Williams during training. PA

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  Gareth Bale looks on as teammate Ben Davies controls the ball during training. Getty

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  Gareth Bale in action during a Wales training session. Getty

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  Gareth Bale during Wales' training session. Getty

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  Gareth Bale during training. PA

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  Gareth Bale during Wales' training session at The Vale Resort. Getty

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  Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Wales Training - Vale Resort, Hensol, Wales, Britain - March 23, 2022 Wales' Gareth Bale during training Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs

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  Gareth Bale during training. PA

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  Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey during training. Reuters

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  Gareth Bale during training ahead of Wales' World Cup play-off against Austria. Reuters

Wales face Austria in Cardiff on Thursday night as they aim to make a final push to reach their first World Cup since 1958.

As usual, the Welsh will be looking to Real Madrid star Gareth Bale for inspiration as they attempt to get past the Austrians and then host the winners of Scotland v Ukraine in June to decide a place at the 2022 Qatar finals.

It could be the last chance for Bale to make a World Cup - he will be 37 when the finals are hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026.

There are some doubts over his fitness, having played just 77 minutes for Real since the end of August. But fans will be delighted to see him giving his all in training in Cardiff, despite Real manager Carlo Ancelotti saying he dropped out of Sunday’s clasico with Barcelona as he “didn’t feel well”.

But the signs are good that Bale will start against Austria and win his 101st cap, with Wales having a relatively easy play-off route after avoiding big-hitters like Italy, Portugal and Sweden.

Pictures of Bale and the Wales squad in training can ben seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.