Wales caretaker coach Rob Page is looking forward to working with Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

Bale is in line to win his 88th cap on March 24 against Belgium in Wales' opening World Cup qualifier.

The winger, 31, will be looking to add to his 33 international goals after bagging 10 on loan for Spurs this term from Real Madrid.

He was subbed in the 57th minute against Arsenal on Sunday in a 2–1 loss though when Jose Mourinho accused his stars of “hiding".

But Wales caretaker Page, in charge with Ryan Giggs still on leave, responded: “He's been first-class every camp.

"I can only speak from my experience.

“He's first through the door, he loves coming away to play for his country and I have enjoyed working with him.

“When you are a professional footballer you set yourself up for criticism and he has taken his fair share of that since he has come back to Tottenham.

“But he is playing football and playing well.

"He is enjoying his football and playing with a smile on his face.

"That is all he has to do, he can't worry about what people are saying about him.

"And he doesn't, I know Gareth really well now and he is not influenced by that at all as we have seen before.

"At other clubs it has been difficult but he would turn up, do his work and be the ultimate professional.

"That is what we get from him.

"He knew he would get his chance at Spurs and knew it would come good for him and it certainly has done."