Bosnia have their own selection issues with Edin Dzeko and Muhamed Besic both out, but Coleman insisted injuries are something all global sides have to face up to and expects an extremely tough challenge from a Bosnia side in an “all or nothing” match for the hosts in Zenica.
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The striker has missed Real Madrid’s last three games with a calf injury but is set to return against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
And Wales boss Chris Coleman has ruled out resting the £85m man for the trip to Bosnia as he seeks on getting burying the qualifying hoodoo at the first chance.
“If he’s fit to meet up with us I will look to play him in Bosnia”, Coleman told a press conference on Thursday as he announced his squad.
“I was as flat as anybody else for a few days”.
“We will try and win in Bosnia. We need our strongest team on the pitch to get the result we need”, Coleman said.
“Gareth’s a machine and will be able to handle it. He can take the hits in a game like that”.
Coleman has also been able to welcome Joe Allen back into his squad.
Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen returns after missing the games against Cyprus and Israel with a hamstring injury, while Bournemouth’s Shaun MacDonald drops out. Have your say using our new commenting feature below.
“It’s great to have him around the place and we must not forget his outstanding performances at home to Belgium and away to Israel”.
“Gareth has been incredibly important for us, so we don’t want to be going into these two games without him”, Coleman said.
“But is he going to be fit for two games? We have to do it because time is here”.
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Midfielders: Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Allen (Liverpool), David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace, on loan with Nottingham Forest), Emyr Huws (Wigan Athletic, on loan with Huddersfield United), Andy King (Leicester City), David Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
