WALES manager Chris Coleman says Gareth Bale’s absence from the friendly matches against Northern Ireland and Ukraine could benefit his star man going into Euro 2016.

Bale misses the matches against Northern Ireland in Cardiff on March 24 and in Ukraine four days later after discussions with his club Real Madrid.

The former Tottenham star has only recently returned from a calf injury and his wife is due to give birth in the coming weeks.

“I think this little break will help him and us,” said Coleman. “It could work in our favour.

“I won’t start worrying until June 10. If he comes on that day and says I'm feeling good I’ll be happy.

“We don't think this is going to go on and on and on with him.

“I think he's just had a bit of a period where he's had a few problems and we expect him to be OK, though you can never tell and there's no guarantee.

“I think this two weeks will help him. If he comes with us he's going to train every day and then play and that's another little obstacle which he has to get over and we don't need. So why take the gamble?

“In another two or three weeks I think we'll see he's fine and we have to hope that he finishes the season well. Hopefully in the next couple of months he's fine.”

Meanwhile, Coleman says he would love to ban his players from social media during Euro 2016 this summer.

The national manager was responding to questions about an offensive tweet sent from Wales youngster Jordan William's account, which appeared to mock the victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster.

Responding to a video of Liverpool fans celebrating knocking Manchester United out of the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday night, the tweet sent from the 20-year-old academy graduate's social media account showed an aeroplane emoji and a pair of hands clapping.

Coleman said: "It’s the first I’ve heard about it. I’m not a Tweeter, I’ve no idea. I don’t know what’s been said. I know Jordan.

"He’s a lovely kid and was in the squad in the last campaign and is a nice kid, but I can’t comment because I don’t know what’s been said."

The tweet was swiftly removed and Williams quickly apologised, saying he had been hacked and he has since deactivated his account.

Coleman added: “I didn't know anything about this but it just goes to show these days you have to be very careful with social media.

“This camp is the first time we are going to have meetings about situations other than the games. That's new for us.

“Social media is so powerful that we've got to get it right. You can't be with them 24/7 but certain things we've got to cover with them.

“It's new for them as it's new to us but they've got to know what they can and can't do. It’s going to be tricky.

“I always worry about social media and how things are portrayed and said. Social media can be a powerful tool but it can also be a dangerous one.

“But that's a sign of the times. I'm not sure the players understand yet when they get to camp what's going to happen.”

Asked if he would ban his players from Twitter during this summer’s tournament, Coleman said: “I’m not sure we can.

“If we could it would make our life easier and I’d say 'let's do that' but I don't know whether we can.

“UEFA states you can't say certain things and there are a lot of do and dont's.

“The advice is to be sensible, be aware, and know what you can and can't do because one little mistake can create a lot of problems for the individual. You don't want that because you want to concentrate on the football.

“Everyone is aware of it now, Jordan's a nice boy – a nice guy.

“I hope his account has been hacked if that's the case. “But it goes to show that you've got to be so careful – say something on social media that's misinterpreted or something you shouldn't have said and you're in trouble.”