Gareth Bale is expected to return to the Wales side for their World Cup qualifier against Serbia on Tuesday evening.

The 24-year-old, who completed a move to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur last week, sat out his country's 2-1 defeat to Macedonia on Friday due to a lack of action in pre-season.

His return will certainly boost Wales, who currently sit fifth in Group A following a disappointing defeat to Macedonia, a result which left them 11 points behind second-place Croatia.

It has also been a disappointing campaign for Serbia, with just eight points from their eight games leaving them in third position, some nine points behind Croatia and 14 behind the leaders Belgium.

The reverse match between these two sides last September ended in a 6-1 win for Serbia, but they have won just once more in the group – a 2-0 win over Scotland in March - since that comprehensive three points.

Sam Vokes is pushing for a spot in the Wales team after appearing off the bench last time out, while Craig Bellamy is expected to continue in attack. However, David Vaughan could miss out following Bale's return.

Meanwhile, Serbia have no fresh injury concerns following their draw with Croatia last time out. Matija Nastasic is expected to continue in defence despite recently returning from a lay-off, but Miralem Sulejmani could come into the side in the final third after an impressive cameo from the bench.

Recent form

Wales: WWLDL

Serbia: LWLLD

Possible lineups

Wales: Myhill; Gunter, Ricketts, Williams, Davies; Ramsey, Ledley, Collison; Bellamy, Bale, Vokes

Serbia: Stojkovic; Kolarov, Ivanovic, Nastasic, Subotic; Fejsa, Matic, Tosic, Mitrovic; Djordjevic, Markovic

Sports Mole says: 1-2

Written by
Matt Law

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