• Wales captain Gareth Bale celebrates during an open training session at Vale Resort ahead of their Uefa Nations League match against Finland. Getty
    Wales captain Gareth Bale celebrates during an open training session at Vale Resort ahead of their Uefa Nations League match against Finland. Getty
  • Wales captain Gareth Bale, centre, training with teammates. Getty
    Wales captain Gareth Bale, centre, training with teammates. Getty
  • Wales' attacker Gareth Bale. PA
    Wales' attacker Gareth Bale. PA
  • Wales midfielder Harry Wilson controls the ball during training. Getty
    Wales midfielder Harry Wilson controls the ball during training. Getty
  • Wales defender Ethan Ampadu heads the ball. Getty
    Wales defender Ethan Ampadu heads the ball. Getty
  • Wales captain Gareth Bale, left, shares a joke with Kieffer Moore. Getty
    Wales captain Gareth Bale, left, shares a joke with Kieffer Moore. Getty
  • The Welsh squad take part in a warm up exercise during training. Getty
    The Welsh squad take part in a warm up exercise during training. Getty
  • Wales attacker Gareth Bale. PA
    Wales attacker Gareth Bale. PA
  • Wales captain Gareth Bale, centre, training with teammates. Getty
    Wales captain Gareth Bale, centre, training with teammates. Getty
  • Wales captain Gareth Bale. Getty
    Wales captain Gareth Bale. Getty
  • Wales attacker Gareth Bale makes a point during. PA
    Wales attacker Gareth Bale makes a point during. PA
  • Wales' Harry Wilson passing the ball during training. PA
    Wales' Harry Wilson passing the ball during training. PA
  • Wales' Gareth Bale, right, during training.
    Wales' Gareth Bale, right, during training.
  • The Welsh squad at training. PA
    The Welsh squad at training. PA
  • Wales players during the training session at The Vale Resort, Glamorgan. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 17, 2020. See PA story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
    Wales players during the training session at The Vale Resort, Glamorgan. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 17, 2020. See PA story SOCCER Wales. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Spurs attacker Gareth Bale training with Wales ahead of Finland Nations League clash – in pictures


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Caretaker manager Robert Page says every Wales player has returned a negative Covid-19 test ahead of the Nations League promotion decider against Finland in Cardiff on Wednesday.

Republic of Ireland pair Matt Doherty and James McClean, who both started Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Wales, have tested positive and are now in self-isolation.

"The Republic of Ireland have had a tough time of it with the amount of people that have tested positive, and of course it's been a concern for us," Page said at his pre-match press conference.

"But we've tested the players and all have come back negative thankfully. The medical team have looked at the game back and there's no concerns at all."

Asked about testing procedures and the positive Ireland tests, Page said: "Some associations will use different testing companies.

"All I can speak for is ourselves, I can't speak for Ireland. But we feel what we have done is good planning.

"If there's absolutely any risk we will not take the chance. But our medical protocols have been second to none and we've had consistent negative tests so that goes to show we're doing something right."

Captain Gareth Bale was pictured hugging his Tottenham team-mate Doherty at the end of Sunday's game against Ireland.

"It's a slight concern for everybody when you've been playing someone and you're in close contact with them on the field," Bale said. "Maybe you're not long enough with them to catch it, but you're a bit wary."

Bale said he has spoken to Doherty since the Ireland defender had tested positive for coronavirus.

"Me and Ben [Davies] have spoke to him briefly and he's doing fine, he's just got mild symptoms," Bale said.

"Hopefully he recovers fine, doesn't have any problems and will be back playing as soon as possible."

Wales need a point against Finland to guarantee promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. Bale says making the step up to League A is key to gauging the progress the team is making. Wales are a point clear of the second-placed Fins going into the game.

"It's a massive game for us," said Bale. "To win the group and get promoted is something we set out to do at the start.

"It's important for us as a country to get that winning mentality and that feeling going into the Euros in the summer.

"We want to get better and improve and the only way we'll do that is by playing better teams."

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

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The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.