ENGLAND were handed a massive boost last night when Wales dangerman Gareth Bale was ruled out of Saturday's Euro 2012 crunch.

The Tottenham star has been forced to withdraw from the qualifier in Cardiff because of a hamstring injury.

We can reveal he will return to London this morning where he will be assessed by his club.

A Wales insider said: "It's a bitter blow for Gareth because he was so keen to play but there is no chance that he'll be fit in time."

The winger was recently hailed as 'the best footballer in the Premier League' on current form by England boss Fabio Capello.

But he had only just returned to action for Spurs after six weeks out with a back injury and it is believed his hamstring problem could be related to that.

Bale, 21, pulled up lame in training yesterday and was told he has no chance of being able to face the Three Lions at the Millennium Stadium.

But it is hoped he will be fine for his club's crunch Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid on April 5.

Bale also suffered a knock on his thigh in training with Spurs last week but recovered in time to face West Ham.

He has emerged as a leading contender to be named Player of the Year for his performances but there are concerns his rise to stardom has come at a price with the season taking its toll on his body.

England striker Peter Crouch knows only too well the threat Bale poses - as a team-mate at Tottenham.

Crouch said: "Sometimes he's just unplayable. What he did to Inter this season showed people what he is capable of."