Gareth Bale named as substitute for Wales's qualifier against Macedonia

Gareth Bale has been placed on the Wales bench for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Macedonia.

The Real Madrid star is expected to play some part of the contest following his world-record £85m switch to the Bernabeu from Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

The 24-year-old did not feature in any of Tottenham's three Premier League games of this season, and due to his lack of match fitness, Wales boss Chris Coleman has opted to start Bale as a substitute.

Bale was also absent for the majority of the North London club's pre-season because of a foot injury.