Bale takes full part in training before Portugal Euro 2016 semi

Dinard (France) (AFP) – Wales talisman Gareth Bale played a full part as Chris Coleman’s squad trained on Tuesday on the eve of their Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday. Bale, 26, had trained separately on Monday, explaining that he felt “a bit stiff” following Friday’s 3-1 quarter-final win over Belgium in Lille. But the Real Madrid star trained with the rest of the squad as they returned to their Dinard training base. Midfielder David Edwards, who was put through his paces by a fitness coach, was the only player of the 23 who trained separately during

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Dinard (France) (AFP) – Wales talisman Gareth Bale played a full part as Chris Coleman’s squad trained on Tuesday on the eve of their Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday.

Bale, 26, had trained separately on Monday, explaining that he felt “a bit stiff” following Friday’s 3-1 quarter-final win over Belgium in Lille.

But the Real Madrid star trained with the rest of the squad as they returned to their Dinard training base.

Midfielder David Edwards, who was put through his paces by a fitness coach, was the only player of the 23 who trained separately during the 15 minutes of the session open to the media.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies are both suspended for the showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, but manager Coleman has an otherwise fully fit squad at his disposal.

Jonny Williams is expected to fill in for Ramsey, with either James Collins or Jazz Richards likely to take Davies’s place.

Ramsey did not appear weighed down by his ban, gambolling onto the pitch at the start of the session and laughing as he exchanged half-volleyed passes with team-mate Chris Gunter.

Coleman was also in a relaxed mood, taking part in a pre-session game of “keepy-uppy” with members of his back-room staff.

The squad did a couple of laps of the training pitch and then stretched before dividing into two groups for a “rondo” possession drill.

The players and staff were due to travel to Lyon after training, with a press conference at Stade de Lyon scheduled for the afternoon.

Wales are seeking to reach a major tournament final for the first time in their history, having surpassed their best previous performance of a quarter-final showing at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

The winners of Wednesday’s match will play either Germany or hosts France in the final in Saint-Denis on Sunday.

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