Tottenham ace Gareth Bale rejected Team GB selection over concerns for his preseason preparations, it has been revealed.

The Sunday Mirror says sources close to Bale have revealed that the winger, who had previously ignored the preference of the Welsh FA for their players not to join the GB team, decided that the Olympics would not be the best way to prepare for the new Premier League campaign.

His father Frank urged him to play for Great Britain, but the player held firm.