Gareth Bale says he is on track to be fully fit for the World Cup in November, with head coach Rob Page claiming Wales will benefit from how he is being carefully handled by his club in Major League Soccer.
Bale has made just two starts in his 11 appearances for Los Angeles FC, and has yet to play 90 minutes since joining the Californian club in July.
But the 33-year-old insists his programme is tailored to reach peak fitness for the end of the MLS season and the subsequent World Cup in Qatar.
“We have a plan in LA with what we’re doing,” said Bale, who has linked up with the Wales squad for their closing Nations League games against Belgium and Poland.
“We’re not doing too much straight away. Every footballer wants to play as much as they can, but we’re being clever and building myself up for the last important part of the season.
“Hopefully that should put me in great shape for the World Cup. I think I’ll be a lot fitter. I haven’t played 90 minutes yet, which is what I’m building up to.
“We’re on a good path to where I want to be. Of course I want to play 90 minutes as much as I can, but I understand I need to build up to that because I haven’t done it an awful lot in the last few years.
“The most important thing for me is to take each week as it comes.
“Hopefully that will be good enough for me to help LAFC and, ultimately, be ready for the World Cup.”
Gareth Bale believes his move to LAFC will help the Wales national team as regular training and matches are helping him gain fitness.
Bale turned down offers to stay in Europe, including one from hometown club Cardiff, to move to the United States after his trophy-laden nine-year stay at Real Madrid had come to an end.
He says he is enjoying the Los Angeles lifestyle and that his family have settled well in the US.
READ ALSO Gareth Bale Leads MLS Jersey Sales in 1st Season
Bale said: “I am very happy. My family are settled there, which is a big part, and the fans have been really supportive.
Gareth Bale rolled back the years with this sensational solo goal to seal the win for LAFC against Real Salt Lake in MLS.
“It’s taken a little while to get everything sorted, but I am playing games and have been training for the last 10 weeks and getting stronger.
“We now have an important stretch of games in the MLS and, after that, my attention will turn to the World Cup.