Rob Page hopeful over availability of defender James Lawrence for Czech Republic clash

Rob Page is hopeful over the availability of defender James Lawrence ahead of Wales’ World Cup Qualifier against the Czech Republic on Tuesday. 

Lawrence, 28, played a full 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat to Belgium, but was ruled out of the friendly with Mexico due to German travel restrictions. 

With restrictions having since eased, the FC St. Pauli defender, who has eight caps for Wales, could be available. 

Page explained the situation after Wales’ 1-0 victory over Mexico, expressing his desire to get Lawrence back in the camp. 

“It’s difficult. We’ve got the German FA on our side, we’ve got FIFA on our side, we just need the club to release him,” he clarified. 

“We’re still in dialogue with the club and we’re trying to get him back involved with the group, that’ll be something we’ll be doing again overnight, it’s just a case of the club not wanting to release him. 

“He had to go back after the Belgium game, the government at the time wouldn’t let him come into the country, restrictions eased now and it should be no different now to what it was before Belgium.

“We’re protected, we’re absolutely protected, the German FA have absolutely no issues with it and FIFA have said yes absolutely, he can come, so there’s no reason why we can’t get him in, so we’re in dialogue with the club now to get him involved.”

Wales host the Czech Republic in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, who have made a very positive start to the campaign. 

Having emphatically beaten Estonia 6-2 in their opening game, Jaroslav Šilhavy’s side claimed an impressive 1-1 against Belgium. 

With Page hopeful to have Lawrence in contention to be selected, the Wales boss stressed the importance of the defender making a swift return the camp.

“We want it done as soon as possible, we want it done tomorrow morning,” he said. 

“We’ll pursue it and like I say, everyone’s backing us, we just need the dialogue with the club, we’ll speak with James and see how quickly we can get him in, but ideally, we’re on the pitch again tomorrow.

“We’re planning the starting eleven for Tuesday and we want him on the pitch ready tomorrow to be part of that.”

(Featured Image: lewis Mitchell)