Wales Watch: Bale and Ramsey watch from afar as Young Guns shine in restart
Wales manager Ryan Giggs at MD1 Training. Wales v Azerbaijan Media Session at Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Ryan Giggs will be deliberating his next international squad, as Wales prepare to visit Finland in their Nations League opener in less than two months.
A number of players have impressed over the last week, and many will be eyeing a place in Giggs’ squad for Wales’ Nations League fixtures away at Finland and at home to Bulgaria.
Many Welsh players featured in midweek matches in the Championship, as well as the Premiership, followed by weekend fixtures for many of the international too.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrustration for Welsh stars
Gareth Bale was forced to watch from the stands, as his Real Madrid side beat Getafe on Thursday, as well as Athletic Club on Sunday.
Bale’s exclusion from the starting lineup, and with no appearance as a substitute, means that the Welshman hasn’t featured in any of Los Blancos’ last three matches.
A similar fate for Aaron Ramsey out in Turin, as he had to watch his Juventus side from the sidelines, as they beat Torino 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Ramsey made a 20-minute cameo in Juventus’ embarrassing collapse in the San Siro, as Milan came from two goals down to beat the Turin side 4-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesVokes scores opener in Barnsley rout
Sam Vokes marked his first home start for Stoke City since the season’s resumption with the opening goal in a 4-0 rout of fellow relegation candidates; Barnsley.
Fellow Welsh international, James Chester, put in a strong 90-minute performance in the heart of Stoke City’s backline. He is a player that Giggs will be looking at to bring the experience into the Welsh squad’s defence.
Embed from Getty ImagesWilliams edges closer to Premier League winners medal
Neco Williams made another two appearances for Premier League champions; Liverpool this week. A last minute appearance at home to Aston Villa, and his first Premier League start away at Brighton.
The youngster has now featured in all of Liverpool’s last four matches.
According to Premier League rules, a player must make five appearances to be eligible for a Premier League winners medal. Williams must feature in one of the final four matches to be considered a Premier League champion.
Neil Taylor also made the headlines following Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. A strong showing in left-back wasn’t enough, as they kept Liverpool at bay until Sadio Mané’s 71st-minute opener.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoberts’ assist secures three points for the Swans
Swansea City’s 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday was largely due to Connor Roberts’ contribution.
The right back assisted Liverpool loanee, Rhian Brewster just after half time, and won the penalty which André Ayew subsequently converted.
Wales U21 international, Liam Cullen, came on for his third Championship appearance in the final minutes of the match.
Ryan Giggs will have a tough time deciding the fate of the right backs in the squad, due to the emergence of Neco Williams, as well as Chris Gunter being re-introduced into the Reading fold.
Ben Cabango made his 16th Championship appearance for the Swans on Tuesday, in a 1-1 stalemate away at Millwall.
Another notable moment for a Welshman in the Championship came on Tuesday night. Will Vaulks scored a Bale-esque outside the boot chip in Cardiff’s 3-2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
A day after Cardiff’s defeat, former New Saints defender Ben Cabango got off the mark for Swansea, scoring in their 3-1 victory over Birmingham City
Embed from Getty ImagesInjury worries for Rodon
Swansea boss Steve Cooper confirmed on Friday that Joe Rodon has suffered an ankle injury in training, and will now miss the rest of the season.
Rodon previously suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the Swansea team for over three months this season.
Largely considered as Wales’ first choice centre back, if Rodon recovers in time for the Nations League, he’ll be lacking match fitness.
As well as his season, his Swansea career looks to be over too. Rodon is expected to move on in the summer, following reported interest from Premier League clubs in the top six.
Other injuries affecting Welsh players is that of Manchester City’s Matt Smith. Smith has suffered a groin injury, and will return to his parent club upon expiry of his loan at Charlton.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe confirmed that Chris Mepham had suffered a knee injury in their match against Newcastle. Ryan Giggs will be hoping for a swift recovery as Wales’ two first-choice centre backs sit out injured.
Embed from Getty ImagesFormer TNS youngsters make Championship squads
Jack Vale and Callum Jones, both formerly of TNS’ academy, have been included in matchday squads for their Championship clubs.
Vale, a Welsh U21 international, was named as a substitute in Blackburn Rovers’ 2-0 away defeat to Barnsley on Tuesday.
Jones, a Welsh youth international, was also named as a substitute in Hull City’s 4-2 loss away to West Brom.
Embed from Getty ImagesAshley Williams sees red
Welsh national team captain, Ashley Williams, has been served a four-match ban following his red card against Nottingham Forest.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe goalkeeper problem
It’s more of the same for Wales’ goalkeepers. Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, and Adam Davies were all substitute goalkeepers during this weeks fixtures.
This is Wales’ most worrying position at the moment, simply due to the fact that none of them are playing regularly.
Owen Evans of Wigan Athletic, who spent this season on loan at League Two side Cheltenham Town, is one of only a select few of Welsh goalkeepers playing consistently at professional level.
Ryan Giggs has a lot to consider when it comes to goalkeepers, but he’s stayed consistent in that Wayne Hennessey is still Wales’ number one.
Embed from Getty ImagesWelsh playoff action
Three Welshmen will be involved in next Monday’s League One playoff final in Wembley, as Oxford United face Wycombe Wanderers.
This will be Ben Woodburn’s final match with Oxford, as he will return to Liverpool upon expiry of his loan.
Wycombe’s Welsh boys, Joe Jacobson and Alex Samuel, will likely be involved in their team’s lineup. Alex Samuel, who scored in the semi final first leg, is a former Aberystwyth Town striker.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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