Another week of action for Welsh internationals in the top two tiers of English football, as well as abroad.
Ryan Giggs will have tough decisions to make, when it comes to selecting Wales’ squad for the Nations League openers in September.
A midweek announcement saw the confirmation of Wales’ friendly against England at Wembley in October. The match will take place in the same international window as Wales’ away matches against Ireland and Bulgaria.
Midweek and weekend fixtures saw a variety of Welshmen get game-time this week, some playing on more than one occasion.
Welsh champions
Thursday night saw Real Madrid crowned as champions of La Liga, following their 2-1 victory over Villarreal.
Gareth Bale was, once again, forced to watch from the stands as he was an unused substitute for the sixth consecutive game.
Bale’s reaction to the trophy celebration went viral following the match. He didn’t seem to show as much passion as his team-mates towards winning the Spanish top flight.
Real Madrid’s final match of the season, on Sunday, against Leganes, saw Bale omitted from the squad, for “technical reasons”.
Another Welsh champion is Tyler Roberts, as his Leeds United side secured promotion to the Premier League, as well as being crowned winners of the Championship.
Roberts has been a regular for The Whites this season, and he’ll certainly be looking forward to the prospect of top flight football.
The seven-time capped Welsh international led the line for Leeds in their 3-1 win over Derby County on Sunday. He assisted Jamie Shackleton’s second-half strike.
Wales U21 international makes his Championship debut
Former TNS academy player, Jack Vale, made his Blackburn Rovers debut on Saturday afternoon.
A 20 minute cameo, in Rovers’ 4-3 win over Reading, was enough for the youngster to show promise. He was denied a dream debut goal, as his stoppage time effort was denied by the crossbar.
Another former TNS youngster, Callum Jones, made the Hull City squad in their 1-0 defeat to Luton. Jones was an unused substitute, as his side fell to the bottom of the Championship.
Other Welsh youth internationals involved in matchday squads include Ben Cabango, Liam Cullen, Tivonge Rushesha, Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson.
Cabango and Cullen both made the squad for Swansea’s midweek draw against Nottingham Forest, where Cabango came on at the hour mark. Rushesha joined the squad, for the Swans’ weekend win over Bristol City. Cabango started, and Cullen made a substitute appearance in that fixture.
Both Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson were unused substitutes, in their respective fixtures in the midweek.
Joe Allen injury update
Stoke City boss, Michael O’Neill, has given an update on Joe Allen following his terrible Achilles injury, suffered before the season’s suspension.
The Potters’ boss says that Allen’s rehab “was a little bit more difficult” during lockdown, due to unforeseen circumstances.
But he says that the 30 year-old “is doing fantastically well” as he’s the “first in and last away every day”.
O’Neill says that he won’t put a timescale on Allen’s recovery, as he wants the Welshman to be fully fit as soon as possible.
Adam Davies impresses for Stoke
Wales’ goalkeeper issue might now have a solution. Adam Davies started both of Stoke’s matches this week, making it three consecutive starts.
Davies came in following an injury to Stoke City’s number one, Jack Butland. Now, it seems that Davies is preferred to Butland as The Potters’ starting goalkeeper.
In his three starts, Stoke have only conceded one goal, and are undefeated in all three matches.
A number of fans on social media shared their praise for the 28 year old, with some suggesting that he’s saved them from relegation.
Ryan Giggs has some tough decisions to make regarding the goalkeepers, as both Wayne Hennessey and Danny Ward aren’t starters for their clubs in the Premier League.
James Chester and Sam Vokes started in both of Stoke City’s games this week, alongside Davies.
Kieffer Moore nets a brace
Wigan Athletic’s midweek rout over Hull City saw Welsh cult hero, Kieffer Moore, score two of the Latics’ eight.
Moore’s two first half goals helped Wigan towards a 7-0 lead at half time.
The 27 year old was on a hat-trick, going into the second half, but was replaced after 56 minutes.
Another encouraging performance from Moore came on Saturday in Wigan’s 2-2 draw, away at Charlton Athletic.
Fellow Welshman, Lee Evans, made substitute appearances in both of the Latics’ matches this week.
Welsh goalscorers elsewhere came in the Premier League and in the Championship.
David Brooks scored his first goal of the season, as Bournemouth lost 2-1 away at Manchester City.
Connor Roberts scored in Swansea’s 1-0 victory over Bristol City, his first of the season in the Championship.
Mepham faces six weeks out
Cherries boss Eddie Howe has confirmed that Chris Mepham has had his second operation in 2020 and faces six weeks out.
The former Brentford man suffered a knee injury in a 10 minute cameo against Newcastle two weeks ago.
Mepham will miss the remainder of the season, but might return to fitness for Wales’ Nations League openers, scheduled for September.
With both Rodon and Mepham injured, Ryan Giggs could be forced to experiment with a new centre back partnership.
Ben Cabango’s sudden emergence might soften the blow of losing both Mepham and Rodon, but a massive loss nevertheless.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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