Wales will NOT risk Bale for Nations League opener against Poland

Gareth Bale might finally have received some admiration from Real Madrid's fans after winning his fifth Champions League title, but he will stay wrapped in cotton wool on Wednesday night.

Bale was an unused substitute as Madrid downed Liverpool 1-0 in Saturday's Paris final but was still cheered by Real's supporters when Carlo Ancelotti's squad paraded the Champions League trophy at the Bernabeu on Sunday. The 32-year-old has endured a tough last season in the Spanish capital.

He has fallen down the pecking order, will leave on a free this summer, and been abused by fans for his supposed lack of commitment. Yet despite all that, he is still Wales' star man.

Bale will be on the sidelines for his country's Nations League clash with Poland on Wednesday as he rests ahead of Sunday's crunch World Cup play-off final with either Scotland or Ukraine.

'I thought they showed class and rightly so for what he's achieved for that football club,' said Wales manager Rob Page of the reception for Bale from Real's fans. 

'You look back to what he's done – scoring winners in Champions League finals and in the manner in which he's done it.

'What an achievement for him personally and what that team has achieved is phenomenal. He deserves all the plaudits and is in good spirits as he always is.

'He wanted to be with the squad as soon as possible. He's as humble as ever, he's met up with the group, and he's been first class right away.'

Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen are all set to sit out the Poland game with the hosts likely to include star man Robert Lewandowski after he confirmed his imminent departure from Bayern Munich.

POLAND v WALES: 7.45pm, LIVE on Premier Sports.