bbc.co.uk

Davies doubtful for Wales' crunch World Cup qualifiers

Ben Davies shows his distress at being injured as team-mates gather roundHuw Evans Picture Agency

World Cup qualifier: Liechtenstein v Wales

Venue: Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:00 BST

Coverage: Live on iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Defender Ben Davies is an injury doubt for Wales' World Cup qualifying games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia next month.

The 32-year-old captained Wales as he won his 100th international cap in their 4-2 World Cup qualifying loss to Belgium on 13 October, but was forced off in the second half with a hamstring problem.

Davies' Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has now confirmed that he could be out of action for some time with the injury.

"Ben Davies is out with a hamstring injury, it could be weeks," Frank told club media before Spurs' Champions League fixture in Monaco.

Wales travel to Liechtenstein on Saturday, 15 November, then host North Macedonia in Cardiff the following Tuesday.

Craig Bellamy's side know they are now realistically playing for second place in Group J and must win both games if they are to snatch the runner-up spot from North Macedonia, which would guarantee their place in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Wales will be expected to beat a Liechtenstein side that sits bottom of the group without a point and having not scored a goal so far in qualification.

But the absence of Davies in defence against second-placed North Macedonia would lessen Wales' chances of overhauling them, and Bellamy will be hoping he is able to return to fitness in time for that crunch game on 18 November at Cardiff City Stadium.