Poland talking points: Wales begin Nations League days before World Cup decider

Wales start their Nations League campaign in Poland on Wednesday.

The game comes just four days before the World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine in Cardiff to decide a place at this year’s finals in Qatar.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the clash at Wroclaw’s Tarczynski Arena.

Gareth Bale became the first British player to win five Champions League titles on Saturday. Bale did not step foot on the pitch in Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool as his nine-year stay in Spain came to an end.

What Bale does next might depend on whether Wales make it to Qatar in November. There has been talk of a Tottenham return, a short-term deal at hometown club Cardiff, or a move to the United States were Wales to qualify, with retirement possibly an option if Wales fail to do so.

The 32-year-old could get a Wroclaw breather to make sure he is ready for the World Cup play-off.

Wales manager Robert Page has described Brennan Johnson as “the future of Welsh football” and there is no disputing the exciting Nottingham Forest forward has had a huge breakthrough season.

Johnson, who turned 21 last week, scored 19 goals as Forest returned to the Premier League after a 23-year absence by beating Huddersfield in Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final.

Forest’s win will provide him with the perfect energy boost at the end of a campaign where he has played 60 games for club and country.

Whereas Johnson was a Wembley winner, Huddersfield’s Sorba Thomas’ emotions were at the other end of the scale.

Thomas recovered from injury to take his starting place for the Terriers, but the wideman was unable to hurt Forest in the way he has done to so many Championship defences.

Page says he is