Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale has suffered an injury which will rule him out of this summer's London Olympics, according to reports.
The Wales winger was expected to be one of the main attractions in Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad when the Games get under way.
But Bale, who on Wednesday signed a new contract at Tottenham, is understood to have aggravated an old back and hip injury while on a personal training run to stay fit for the Olympics.
The setback will come as a major blow to Spurs as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season at Newcastle on 18th August.
And, more immediately, Bale's absence will come as greater setback to Pearce, who is expected to name his Team GB squad on Monday.
Team GB have been drawn in Group A for the Games and will begin their campaign against Senegal on 26th July before taking on United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
Pearce has already caused huge debate by surprisingly deciding to omit Olympic ambassador and former England captain David Beckham from his squad.
Instead, Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, Liverpool's Craig Bellamy and Manchester City's Micah Richards are understood to have been preferred as the three overage players for the Under-23 tournament.
Beckham said on Thursday of his omission in a statement: "Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me.
"So I would have been honoured to have been part of this unique Team GB squad.
"Naturally I am very disappointed but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold."
The Wales winger was expected to be one of the main attractions in Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad when the Games get under way.But Bale, who on Wednesday signed a new contract at Tottenham, is understood to have aggravated an old back and hip injury while on a personal training run to stay fit for the Olympics.
The setback will come as a major blow to Spurs as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season at Newcastle on 18th August.
And, more immediately, Bale's absence will come as greater setback to Pearce, who is expected to name his Team GB squad on Monday.
Team GB have been drawn in Group A for the Games and will begin their campaign against Senegal on 26th July before taking on United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.
Pearce has already caused huge debate by surprisingly deciding to omit Olympic ambassador and former England captain David Beckham from his squad.
Instead, Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, Liverpool's Craig Bellamy and Manchester City's Micah Richards are understood to have been preferred as the three overage players for the Under-23 tournament.
Beckham said on Thursday of his omission in a statement: "Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me.
"So I would have been honoured to have been part of this unique Team GB squad.
"Naturally I am very disappointed but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold."
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