Irish fans hoping for a Bale-less Wales next March fed dose of reality by Chris Coleman

No self-respecting football fan would wish injury on a player and nor would they hope that a spell on the sidelines is any longer than it ought to be.

But Republic of Ireland supporters would definitely prefer to come up against a Wales side without danger man Gareth Bale when they meet next year. Bale emerged as a serious doubt for the World Cup Qualifier between Ireland and Wales - scheduled for March 24 - after suffering a "traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons" during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon a fortnight ago. The diagnosis initially suggested that the high-flying forward would be out until April after undergoing successful surgery at King Edward VII Hospital in London. That would have meant that Bale would be missing for the game in Dublin and make Ireland's chances of continuing their terrific campaign all the more likely. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/804681276099850240 But Wales manager Chris Coleman has since spoken about the former Spurs winger's injury and insisted that he's backing Bale to be fit for the March showdown. "If anybody is going to be back before the time that has been given to us it will be Bale," said Coleman as he collected a Special Recognition Award in Cardiff on Monday night. "With that type of injury you are looking at three months-ish. "But three months is a long time. You can get a setback, or be fast-tracked if anything is going really well. "We are hoping it's the latter but we have a bit of time between now and March and he has a bit of time to make sure he gets himself right." Bale took to social media side Dugout.com on Monday where he gave a positive update on his rehabilitation and Coleman believes that, given Bale's ability to recover, he could well be lining out at the Aviva Stadium. "He is OK. People were talking about a three-month period and if anybody is going to get back before then it will be him," he added. "He is an absolute machine, such an athlete. "Physically he is probably one of the fittest players I have ever seen. He is a consummate professional and lives his life right and if anyone has a chance of getting back before it will be him." The Republic currently lead the way in Group D, with 10 points from four games, while Wales find themselves in third place, with six points to their name. Catch up with this week's episode of Football Friday Live