China aims to slay dragons

Giggs confident

With Bale in tow, new Wales manager Ryan Giggs is confident of getting his tenure off to a flying start.

Bale, 28, has struggled for game time at Madrid this season but came off the bench to hit the net in a 6-3 league victory over Girona on Sunday.

With teams guaranteed two games in Nanning (the semifinal losers will play a third-place playoff, also on Monday), Giggs is planning to use Bale in both matches.

"All players that go out are preparing to play both games," the former Manchester United great said last week.

"But you have to be sensible as well. If players get a knock when they are on tour and we feel it's better they go back, they will go back early. There are players for who this is an ideal trip for them to get games and minutes under their belt-and it is for Gareth."

Giggs, though, is without influential Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey, who requires "a small procedure" to heal a nagging injury, and West Bromwich Albion striker Hal Robson-Kanu. And one of the heroes of the Dragons' run to the Euro 2016 semifinals, Reading midfielder Dave Edwards, has announced his international retirement.

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, Everton's Ashley Williams, Tottenham's Ben Davies, Stoke's Joe Allen, Swansea's Andy King and Liverpool duo Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson (on loan at Championship side Hull) make up Giggs' English Premier League contingent.

Centerback Williams, 33, retains the Welsh captaincy despite his indifferent form for Everton.

"There's no reason to change," said Giggs of Williams. "He's getting to the end of his career so it's something will have to look at in the future, but he's been a brilliant captain on and off the pitch."