Gareth Bale's involvement in Wales' crucial World Cup play-off clash thrown into doubt by Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has cast doubt over whether Gareth Bale will be able to play for Wales in their crucial World Cup play-off clash with Austria on Thursday.

The 32-year-old was omitted from Los Blancos' matchday squad for El Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday night, prompting many concerned people in Wales to question the fitness of their talismanic forward. Reports in Spain ahead of Barcelona's 4-0 demolition job suggested the injury was due to Bale complaining of back pain.

And, after the chastening defeat, Ancelotti gave a brief but ambiguous update on Bale, which has done little to ease concerns over his potential availability for Thursday's play-off tie at Cardiff City Stadium.

"He wasn't feeling well yesterday after training," Ancelotti said of Bale after the game. "I don't know what's going on with Wales, now he's leaving and they will make the decision whether he can play or not."

Bale is due to travel to Cardiff from the Spanish capital on Monday desperately short of game-time. The forward has played only 270 minutes of football for Real Madrid this term, of which 193 minutes were in the first three league games. He has, however, turned out four times for his country this season.

In better news for Wales fans, Aaron Ramsey, who has himself struggled with fitness issues since moving to Rangers on loan in January, netted his first goal for his new club on Sunday. Ramsey scored the equaliser for the Glasgow outfit in the 2-1 win over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership and played 84 minutes at Dens Park.

The 31-year-old has played only three of the seven league games Rangers have had since he moved there from Juventus in the January window, but he appears to be back to full health as Rob