Wales manager Ryan Giggs has conceded forward Gareth Bale is likely to miss his side’s UEFA Nations League clash against Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night.

The Real Madrid man missed Thursday’s friendly against Spain as his side lost 4-1 at the Principality Stadium. Spain’s Paco Alcacer netted twice, while Sergio Ramos and Marc Bartra also found the back of the net.

Sam Vokes grabbed a consolation goal but Wales will be determined to move on at the earliest opportunity. Giggs admits the former Tottenham star has been suffering with muscle fatigue following the 1-0 defeat to Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.

Martin O’Neill’s men will be fired up for the occasion at the Aviva Stadium but Giggs admits his key player is now a doubt, while he is also looking forward to forgetting about the Spain defeat.

When asked after the Spain game, he told Sky Sports: “It is very unlikely at this point. “It’s nothing serious but obviously the closer we get to the game, we have to make a decision. At the moment it is unlikely.

That’s the good thing about football, you’ve always got the next game. “In the last camp we lost to Denmark and you have to wait a month. This time we got beat well in the first game and now we have to react.

It will be another tough game but we will be better.” Bale has netted on 30 occasions for Wales in 72 caps since his debut against Trinidad and Tobago in 2006.

In March this year, he became Wales’ all-time top-scorer overcoming Ian Rush’s 28 thanks to his first hat-trick in his international career in a 2018 China Cup clash against China.