Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for next week's friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff.

The Tottenham winger is currently the subject of intense speculation surrounding a possible big-money move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, and has also been battling to overcome a niggling injury.

Wales manager Chris Coleman's 23-man squad also includes Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy and Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Hennessey missed the majority of last season after twice suffering cruciate knee ligament injuries.

Next Wednesday's game offers Coleman a chance to assess his players before they resume their World Cup qualifying campaign away against Macedonia early next month.

Wales, though, are currently off the pace in Pool A, lying 13 points behind leaders Belgium and 10 adrift of second-placed Croatia.

Reflecting on Bale's current situation, Coleman said: "I am sure with what is going on in terms of the transfer, there is a lot on his mind and Tottenham's mind.

"Unless we are told that he is unavailable, we will just do what we've always done, and that is expect him to be there. You have to look at it and say 'ok, there is a lot going on'.

"I don't get involved with what is going on with Gareth's transfer. Whatever is going to happen is up to Tottenham and Gareth. We have picked the squad, and he is in it.

"When you play football like he does - he is very dynamic, very powerful and unbelievably quick - you are going to pick up niggles, nothing major. It is nothing that we are worried about. If it was serious, then we would have known before now.’’ Coleman has selected a strong squad for the Ireland fixture, which comes just three days before the new Barclays Premier League season kicks off.

There are also places for the likes of Swansea defenders Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor, Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen, Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and Celtic's Joe Ledley.

The Football Association of Wales, meanwhile, today announced a four-year sponsorship extension with Vauxhall Motors.

The sponsorship, which began in early 2011, will now run until July 2018.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "There is an optimism surrounding the futue of Welsh football, and we are delighted that Vauxhall will be an integral part of it.’’ Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion), Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers), Ben Davies (Swansea City), James Collins (West Ham United), Danny Gabbidon (Crystal Palace), Chris Gunter (Reading), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Sam Ricketts (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Joe Allen (Liverpool), Jack Collison (West Ham United), Andy King (Leicester City), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), David Vaughan (Sunderland), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur), Craig Bellamy (Cardiff City), Simon Church (Charlton Athletic), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Burnley).