Wales manager Ryan Giggs says captain Ashley Williams was left out of the squad for next month's crunch Euro 2020 qualifier against Azerbaijan because he has not had a pre-season.

Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss Wales' forthcoming international fixtures against Azerbaijan and Belarus. It is believed that Ramsey's absence may be due to his lacking of match fitness.

The Republic head into the clash with the Group D favourites sitting top of the pile with 10 points from a possible 12, but knowing they face their sternest test yet at the Aviva Stadium.

The Slovak FA released a statement on Sunday saying that UEFA had punished them for their supporters' misbehaviour during the 2-1 win in Hungary on September 9.

UEFA has confirmed that Slovakia's next competitive home fixture, the Group E clash against Wales at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho in Trnava on October 10, must be played without spectators.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) was told on Monday that the national team's 2,137-strong following would be barred from the Group E fixture at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho.

The Derby forward, who was charged with drink driving last month, has retained his place in Ryan Giggs' squad after returning to action for his club on Wednesday in their 2-2 draw at Barnsley.

Aaron Ramsey will learn on Tuesday if he will be involved in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifiers against Slovakia and Croatia after he had a scan on a thigh injury.

Gareth Bale appeared to be heading for the exit in the summer - with a £1m a week contract with Jiangsu Suning on the table - after his relationship with Zinedine Zidane hit rock bottom.

With Euro 2020 being held across Europe, there are no automatic qualifying berths and every side at next summer's tournament will have had to earn their spot. Here, we take a look at who's on track...

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN TRNAVA: Former lifeguard Kieffer Moore kept Wales' Euro 2020 qualification hopes afloat with a goal on his competitive debut to earn Ryan Giggs' team a vital point.

Holland left it late to turn the game around against Northern Ireland and run out winners in Rotterdam. Wales secured a well earned point in Slovakia while Scotland crashed to a heavy defeat in Russia.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN TRNAVA: Ryan Giggs hailed Kieffer Moore after the former lifeguard kept Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying hopes alive with a goal on his competitive debut.

Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey faces a late fitness test ahead of their Euro 2020 qualifier against Croatia on Sunday. Ramsey suffered a thigh injury during Juventus' win over Inter Milan last week.

The news comes as a big blow to Ryan Giggs - who was hoping the 28-year-old would regain match fitness after not featuring in the national side for 11 months.

Wales fought to a creditable draw at home against Croatia but qualification for Euro 2020 is now out of their hands. 

France coach Didier Deschamps has shrugged off talk of revenge ahead of his side's potentially crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Group H rivals Turkey.

A day after qualifying for Euro 2020, the whole squad suited up to visit Pope Francis, presenting him a personalised Italy football shirt, with Francis' actual surname 'Bergoglio' on the back.

Turkey players celebrated Ayhan's far-post header with a military salute despite UEFA launching an investigation into a similar celebration during Friday's 1-0 win against Albania.

As we reach a pivotal stage in Euro 2020 qualification matches, several teams are on the cusp of confirming their spot spot in next year's tournament. Sportsmail brings you the action, live.

The scoreline was perhaps flattering to Italy, as Group J basement boys Liechtenstein put up quite a fight, going perilously close to scoring several times through Dennis Salanovic.

CRAIG HOPE AT STADE DE GENEVE: Republic of Ireland will have to beat Denmark in Dublin next month if they are to avoid the Euro 2020 playoffs after another uninspiring night here in Switzerland.

Gareth Bale faces a race against time to prove he is fully fit for Wales' decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers later this month. The Real Madrid forward has not played since Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia.

Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for the decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary despite a calf problem. He has not played since October 13.

Gareth Bale trained with the Wales squad ahead of their decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary. Real Madrid star Bale has not played since suffering a calf injury.

Wales defender Ben Davies confirmed Bale completed Tuesday's session in its entirety and he now seems certain to start against Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday, despite missing the past month.

Sportsmail's DANIEL DAVIS will provide live coverage including score, lineups and build-up, with full commentary of Spain vs Malta and Bosnia vs Italy.

Wales face Azerbaijan on Saturday afternoon knowing that nothing less than victroy can keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2020. Follow the action here with KIERAN JACKSON.

The winner in Cardiff on Tuesday will qualify for next summer's European Championship, while a draw will be enough for Hungary if Slovakia fail to beat rock bottom Azerbaijan at home.

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho likened Italy's current side to Brazil due to their attacking flair, creativity and goalscoring prowess following their 9-1 win over Armenia. 

After a career in top-level football spanning nearly three decades, Ryan Giggs will finally fulfil his dream of competing at a major tournament with Wales.

Gareth Bale poked fun at Aaron Ramsey's lack of game time in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after his double against Hungary booked their spot at next year's tournament.

Next summer's European Championship is really taking shape, with 20 of the 24 nations now confirmed for the finals. We profile each of the qualifiers so far here.

West Ham have announced that their planned pre-season tournament in Australia, which was also due to feature Crystal Palace, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The comparisons had already started. Similar movement, muscular physique and concrete fists. Anthony Joshua the new Muhammad Ali? Both, of course, differ greatly in their own way.

Joshua climbed off the canvas to stop Klitschko in the 11th round of their April Wembley blockbuster and send the 41-year-old into retirement. 'I have a feeling I can do it better,' the elder Klitschko said.

Vitali Klitschko has been recognised for his success in boxing by officially being inducted into the sport's Hall Of Fame in Canastota, New York.

Goals either side of half-time saw Tunisia and Angola share the points in their first game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the Suez Army Stadium on Monday night.

Mali opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a resounding 4-1 triumph over Mauritania at the Suez Stadium.

Mali took the cliche of a 'like for like' substitution to a whole new level on Monday night after two Adama Traore's found the net after one replaced the other from the bench.

Uganda and Zimbabwe played out a 1-1 draw at the Africa Cup of Nations, but both teams will walk away very disappointed not to take all three points.

Tunisia came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations Group E.

DR Congo put themselves in the hunt for a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-0 thumping of Zimbabwe.

Wilfried Zaha showed no signs of being distracted by transfer speculation as he stepped up when it counted to send Ivory Coast into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

A bizarre own goal in extra time sent Senegal through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win against Tunisia. Senegal will face Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Friday evening.

Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez curled in an injury-time free-kick to send Algeria into the final, prompting wild celebrations as fans set off fireworks on Blackstock Road, in Highbury.

The Serie A club are willing to entertain offers for the 28-year-old Senegal centre back when the transfer window finally opens this summer with Liverpool reportedly leading the chase.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since the beginning of the season and could set the Red Devils back £80million should they want him this summer.

Manchester United are set to enter the race alongside Real Madrid to sign Real Vallodolid youngster Mohammed Salisu this summer, as questions over Victor Lindelof's ability persist. 

The Australian woman demanded her husband pull over after the unexpected guest ran across her helmet's visor this week while out on a ride.