Ryan Giggs has insisted there are no commercial pressures on Wales to play Real Madrid star Gareth Bale against Spain.
Wales will return to the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium – the home of Welsh rugby – next Thursday for the first time since 2011, with former world and European champions Spain providing high-profile opposition.
The Football Association of Wales reportedly banked close to £1million at the China Cup in March when Bale’s involvement prevented any hefty penalty clauses being applied.
Bale missed Real’s Champions League defeat at CSKA Moscow on Tuesday with a groin injury, but he has been included in Giggs’ 25-man squad for the Spain friendly and the Nations League tie away to the Republic of Ireland five days later.
The 29-year-old will be presented with an award before the Spain game to celebrate his Wales scoring record, Bale having eclipsed Ian Rush’s 28-goal mark earlier this year.
“No, not at all,” Wales manager Giggs said when asked if there were are any commercial considerations over Bale’s selection after his recent injury.
“There’s no pressure to play Gareth.
“He had a little groin strain but the scan came back all clear and he expects to be involved at the weekend, which is good.
“With every player, you get the feedback of where they’re at.
“We do a lot of work between camps logging the minutes certain players have played.
“We then try to get it right regarding training and game time, so we do as much homework as we can to see where the players are and to know what’s best for the player and for us.”
Bale was injured in the Madrid derby last weekend when he was forced off at half-time in the goalless LaLiga draw against Atletico.
But the 29-year-old is expected to play at Alaves on Saturday as Real seek to end a run of three games without a win.
“It’s not easy for Gareth,” Giggs said. “He’s in the middle of the Champions League, so there’s a midweek game, and at Real Madrid you have to win every game.
“Every game is huge and it’s just getting that balance right.
“How many minutes he plays, whether he misses a game and what’s best for us and Real Madrid.
“Ideally I want him to play every minute of every game.”
