Wales given double fitness boost

Gareth Bale and Adam Matthews have both been declared fit for Wales' must-win World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday night.

Chris Coleman’s men have made a dreadful start to their qualification campaign and are 51.00 to make it to Brazil in 2014 following two defeats in their first two matches.
The losses to Belgium and Serbia have left the Welsh bottom of the group and needing to take maximum points from the visit of Scotland to Cardiff to keep alive their hopes of qualification.
The task of beating their Celtic cousins looked to have been made all the harder when Bale and Matthews both missed Tuesday's training session with heel and ankle problems respectively.
However, Wales assistant boss John Hartson has moved to calm fears over the duo by insisting he expects both players to face Scotland on Friday.
"Gareth Bale came down to the training ground and worked with the physio," said Hartson.
"We feel he will be OK for Friday. It was just a case of getting him ready. Adam Matthews did the same as Gareth, but we feel they will both be fine."
Wales already have an extensive injury list and will be without Neil Taylor, James Collins, Craig Bellamy, Dave Edwards, Jack Collison, Wayne Hennessey and Boaz Myhill for the next two matches at least.
Coleman has lost his first five games in charge of Wales but has history on his side against Scotland, the Tartan Army having been victorious once in Cardiff in the last 50 years.
Wales are 2.80 to record their first win under Coleman, while Craig Levein's Scotland are 2.50 to pick up to pick up their first three points of the qualification campaign. The draw is priced at 3.25.