Iwan Roberts: 'Gareth Bale unlikely to start for Wales against Macedonia'

Former Wales international Iwan Roberts believes that Gareth Bale will be placed on the bench for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Macedonia.

The 24-year-old, who completed a world-record £85m move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid on Sunday, was absent for the majority of pre-season due to a foot injury, and played no part in Tottenham's first three Premier League games.

"Gareth has missed a lot of pre-season training and all the hoorah with him moving to Madrid last week must have taken its toll," Roberts told BBC Radio Five Live.

"All credit to him for travelling, I think he will start on the bench but he will have a part to play."

Roberts expects Bale to start against Serbia on Tuesday.