Wales have suffered a blow to their World Cup aspirations with news that talisman Gareth Bale will not be fit for their two remaining qualifying matches.
Bale, 28, missed Real Madrid’s match against Espanyol on Sunday, October 1 with a calf complaint and is unavailable for The Dragons’ crunch ties with Georgia and the Republic of Ireland.
Wales face the biggest test of their steel to reach Russia next summer.
They must overcome Georgia in Tsbili on October 6 and the Republic of Ireland at home in Cardiff on October 9 if they are to stand any chance of making it to consecutive international tournaments for the first time in their history.
Five draws in succession earlier in the campaign mean that Wales are far from assured a spot at the World Cup, with boss Chris Coleman admitting his sights are set on a play-off spot.
Serbia top Group D and need to match or better Wales’ result when they face Austria on Friday, October 6 to qualify automatically.
Wales must look for six points in their final two games if they are to make things comfortable.
UEFA have decided that the eight best runners-up from the nine qualifying groups will progress to the play-off round. Points tallies are worked out once results against the bottom side – in Group D’s case, Moldova – have been discarded.
Currently, Wales are ninth in the mini-league, but their results against Georgia and Ireland will count towards their play-off tally, unlike some teams, such as Bosnia, who must play their group’s bottom side and will not benefit from the points.