The bad news for Wales is that Jonathan Williams has been ruled out of Monday night’s European Championship qualifier against Cyprus, leaving Chris Coleman without 11 players and down to “the bare bones”. The good news – and cue a collective sigh of relief across the country – is that Gareth Bale, despite complaining of a back problem during the goalless draw against Bosnia, is among those still standing and prepared to play through the pain barrier.

How Wales need him. Friday’s courageous performance against Bosnia delivered a well-earned point and plenty of praise from the Welsh public, but all the good work will be undone if Coleman’s side fail to beat Cyprus at home. With four points from their opening two fixtures and other results going in their favour – Cyprus beat Bosnia but then lost to Israel – there is a real opportunity for Wales to put down a marker in Group B before next month’s trip to Belgium.

For that to happen, Wales need to reproduce the energy and passion they showed against Bosnia but add a more ruthless touch in front of goal. Almost inevitably with Wales, that means relying heavily on Bale to produce moments of brilliance, as he did in Andorra last month to turn the game round.

Hence the relief when Coleman confirmed that Bale would be winning his 47th cap against Cyprus despite being in some discomfort with his back. “He had a kick but he’s all right,” the Wales manager said. “In the game the other night he came to the side but whatever he was saying my ears were closed because if there was an issue he wasn’t coming off. We gave him treatment, he had a bit of strapping on his back, but he’s fine.”

Coleman was smiling when he suggested that Bale was staying on against Bosnia come what may, but the implication was clear: Wales need the world’s most expensive footballer on the pitch. At the same time, Coleman promised Real Madrid that although Bale was “not playing for us every time at 100%”, his fitness would not be jeopardised.

“There’s a protocol between Real Madrid’s medical team and our medical team but we’ve never risked him. There’s a difference between playing with a risk. You can’t do that. The last thing we want to do is send him back injured. But if there’s not a big risk, if there’s a chance of getting through the game in a little bit of pain, that’s alright. That’s OK.” Although Bale was not at the top of his game against Bosnia, he created the two best chances of the match, for Ashley Williams and Hal Robson-Kanu, and went agonisingly close to scoring a superb winner in injury time, when his thunderous left-foot drive was kept out by a brilliant save from Asmir Begovic.

Ashley Williams admitted that he has been reliving the gilt-edged opportunity he failed to take from Bale’s free-kick. “I’ve watched it a million times,” he said. “It was an unbelievable ball from Gareth, we had eye contact just before he put it in so I knew where it was going to go. It was right on the money and it came in so fast I could not get the direction on it.

“Ben Davies tried to tell me it is not my job to score, but when you get a chance like that it is really. I am desperate for another chance to come my way against Cyprus and hopefully a different outcome.”

The Wales captain also revealed Bale was behind the post-match huddle on the pitch. “After the game it was Gareth’s idea. We felt like it was a moment for us, seeing everyone tired and battered, we had got a point and performed well, and in that huddle we said we wanted to give the appreciation to the fans.

“I think it shows how together we are, we are a tight group and we are friends, and we get on a lot better now than teams gone past.”

With Jonathan Williams ruled out with an ankle problem – Wales now have seven midfielders injured, including Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen – Coleman is likely to promote Robson-Kanu to the starting lineup.

Simon Church, who is unable to get into the Charlton team, is set to start up front again, with Bale playing just behind him and given licence to roam. “If we get three points against Cyprus, the one [point] on Friday is magnificent,” Coleman said. “A win would be massive for us. To get anything against the Cypriots we’re going to have to work hard. But the big prize for us is sitting top of the group going to Belgium next month.”