London, Oct 2 (IANS) Wales football team coach Chris Coleman, after the announcement of his squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers, has said that forward Gareth Bale “is a machine, a superb athlete”.

“Bale has been instrumental in qualifying, not only with the goals he has scored, but with his performances and the winning mentality he brings to the group,” Efe quoted Coleman as saying about the Real Madrid forward on Thursday.

“We don’t want to be going into these games without somebody like him,” Coleman admitted.

Bale scored six of the nine goals of the Welsh campaign in eight matches to put them top of Group B.

The Dragons coach has included injured Bale since last September 17 to the 25 players for the matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina (October 10) and Andorra (October 13).

“If he is with us, I will be looking for him to start against Bosnia-Herzegovina,” the coach said.

“I hope he’ll get some minutes for Madrid in the derby (against Atletico Madrid next Sunday), but either way if he is with us and fit I will want him to play,” he added.