Gareth Bale named in Wales squad to face Spain and Ireland

Wales talisman Gareth Bale has been included in Ryan Giggs' squad for the matches against Spain and the Republic of Ireland despite missing Real Madrid's midweek Champions League defeat through injury.

Bale is named in a 25-man squad which also includes Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who was given special dispensation to miss his side's Europa League appointment with Qarabag on Thursday as his wife is expecting twins.

Midfielder Joe Ledley and defender Tom Lockyer are ruled out, while George Thomas and Jazz Richards come in.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has given Ramsey special dispensation to skip the long trip to Azerbaijan to be with his heavily pregnant wife.

Ramsey has not travelled to Baku with the rest of the Gunners squad ahead of Thursday's clash against Qarabag, manager Emery revealing the midfielder asked to stay in London in order to stay with his wife Colleen, who is expecting twins.

'Aaron Ramsey asked me if he can stay in London because his wife is pregnant and they are waiting on the doctors,' confirmed the Gunners boss.

As Sportsmail revealed last week, Ramsey is set to leave the club at the end of the season after talks over a new deal collapsed.