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.