Friday 8th October, ko 7:45pm

Wales will again be without several players for Friday's "massive" World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic.

Captain Gareth Bale is the most notable absentee, with the Real Madrid forward ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Defenders Ben Davies, Tom Lockyer and Rhys Norrington-Davies as well as midfielder David Brooks have all pulled out of the squad this week due to illness and injury.

But Aaron Ramsey returns from injury to lead the team in Bale's absence.

The Juventus midfielder missed last month's win over Belarus and damaging goalless draw with Estonia.

Juve said last weekend Ramsey had been suffering with "muscle fatigue" but the 30-year-old has declared himself fit for Friday's match in Prague and Monday's trip to Tallinn to take on Estonia.

"The things he [Ramsey] does out there, he inspires the players," said Wales manager Robert Page.

"I think after Baleo he's the natural choice. He's one of the senior players and he's ready for the responsibility.

"When you look at the remaining fixtures we've both got, this is a must-win game if we want to guarantee finishing second."

While Ramsey's return bolsters Wales in midfield, the absence of Davies and Norrington-Davies leaves Page short of options at full-back.

Connor Roberts has only played 45 minutes for Burnley Under-23s since injuring his groin during Wales' last-16 loss to Denmark at Euro 2020 in June.

Liverpool's Neco Williams has also not played any senior football this season having recently returned from injury, leaving Charlton's Chris Gunter as the only specialist full-back in the squad playing regularly.

If Page opts to revert to a wing-back system he has favoured in the past, there could be a debut for Sorba Thomas.

The 22-year-old's performances at left wing-back and on the wing for Huddersfield Town saw him named the Championship's player of the month for August, and the former non-league player earned a first call-up to the Wales squad last week.