Bale in Wales’ World Cup playoff squad after shrugging off back issue

Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale has been declared fit to lead Wales’ bid to reach their first FIFA World Cup finals in 64 years.

Wales manager Robert Page has named skipper Bale in a 27-man squad for the Qatar World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine in Cardiff on June 5.

The Dragons also face four UEFA Nations League ties in June, with home and away games against Holland as well as a trip to Poland and a visit from Belgium.

Bale has made just two cameo substitute appearances for Real Madrid since scoring both goals in Wales’ 2-1 World Cup play-off victory over Austria on March 24.

The 32-year-old has been absent from Real Madrid’s last five match day squads with a back problem.

But Bale has returned to training in the Spanish capital, and is on course to be available for Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League final date with Liverpool on May 28.

Aaron Ramsey is included in the Wales squad after suffering penalty kick shootout misery for Glasgow Rangers on Wednesday.

Ramsey featured for just the final three minutes of Rangers’ Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville, with his saved penalty kick proving decisive.

With Wales hoping to play at the World Cup for the first time since 1958, Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward is available again after knee surgery and replaces Salford’s Tom King.

Bournemouth forward Kieffer Moore also returns to the squad after missing the Austria win with a broken foot.

Moore helped secure the Cherries’ return to the English Premier League (EPL) last month by scoring four goals in three matches.

Everton striker Nathan Broadhead, who has netted 13 goals in 26 appearances during an injury-hit loan spell at Sunderland, receives his first senior call-up.