Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn is like a young Gareth Bale says Wales teammate
Wales have not won any of their last 10 games when Bale has been absent - but midfielder David Edwards believes youngster Woodburn could be the man to step up
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales must decide their World Cup fate without Gareth Bale - but David Edwards believes in Ben Woodburn they have someone who could be every bit as influential as their talisman.
Wales must win their final two games to guarantee themselves at least a place in next month's play-offs - but will have to do so without Real Madrid star Bale who has a calf strain that could keep him sidelined for several weeks.
Their record without Bale does not make pretty reading - Wales have not won any of their last 10 games when the 28-year-old has been absent - but midfielder Edwards believes the leaders in the squad have to stand up.
"I don't think any player could give more on the pitch but we maybe need to take more responsibility," Edwards said. "Gareth has that ability to win a game on his own, producing that bit of magic.
"But we have other players who can do that as well, someone like Aaron (Ramsey), who obviously did that out in Serbia. Then you look at what Ben Woodburn has done in the last two games off the bench, he's another match winner."
Liverpool striker Woodburn, who turns 18 later this month, scored the winner against Austria last month, less than five minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Three days later, Woodburn set up the opening goal in the 2-0 win in Moldova after being introduced on the hour mark.
"I've seen a lot of Ben in this campaign and he reminds me of what Gareth was like when he was younger," Edwards said. "And if you see what Gareth was like in the Euros, the bigger the stage, the more he thrives. There aren't many players who can do that when the whole world is watching.
"But from what I've seen, I'm pretty sure Ben is cut from the same cloth and he will relish the chance to show everyone he is the real deal."
Arsenal midfielder Ramsey will win his 50th cap in Tbilisi and could be utilised in a more advanced position in Bale's absence.
But boss Chris Coleman is not short of attacking options with Woodburn, Sam Vokes, Hal Robson-Kanu and David Brooks all available. Barnsley's Ryan Hedges has also been called up to cover the injured Marley Watkins.
"It is going to be hard to choose which way he (Coleman) wants to go with the system and who comes into the team," Edwards said. "But it's not like when I first played for Wales, because the gaffer has options and players who can come in, do a job and help to get those three points."
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