Wales manager Chris Coleman has been left with a face as red as the national strip after missing the team’s flight to Macedonia.

With much of the talk surrounding Friday’s World Cup qualifier focused on Gareth Bale’s fitness, Coleman caused an unexpected stir by losing his passport.

Assistant manager Kit Symons stepped in to face the media and take training in Skopje, after Coleman had to rush to Newport this morning in order to obtain a new passport.

Symons said: ‘There were a couple of passport issues which needed to be resolved and they have been and he will be landing imminently.

‘It was a minor issue which has been dealt with, it is sorted so there are no dramas.

‘He will not make training but all the tactical stuff has been done during the week and it’s just about the boys stretching their legs tonight, so it will not be a disruption.

‘I have not spoken to him since this morning, I am sure he will bat it off and get on with it and not be embarrassed.

‘It is not going to affect the set-up for the game in any way, shape or form.

‘It is unfortunate and we do not want it happening again. But it is not the end of the world and it will be no excuse if we do not perform.’

Coleman eventually made the journey to Skopje from Heathrow via Vienna, but captain Ashley Williams appeared amused by the incident, joking: ‘I’ve got my passport!’