Rob Page and James Lawrence open up on Wales’ squad chaos
James Lawrence of Wales in training. Wales training session at the Vale Resort ahead of their UEFA Nations League match against Finland. 31st August 2020. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Rob Page says preparations for this international period have been hampered by injuries but insists it provides an opportunity for younger players to step up.
Wales are missing key players for the upcoming games with the likes of Joe Rodon, Aaron Ramsey, and David Brooks pulling out due to injury worries.
Injuries aren’t the only cause for concern within the Wales squad either, visa complications mean that Ethan Ampadu, Tyler Roberts, and Brandon Cooper will miss out on the away trip to Kazan to play Belarus.
The issues come after the venue of the game was changed nearly 1000 miles further east than the original location to Kazan in Russia, meaning the players needed to obtain visas to travel.
“We will take matters further and investigate absolutely because it’s just not right,” said Page.
This only adds to the travel miles in the recent Euros campaign where Wales had to travel substantially more miles than many teams.
Page also explained how obtaining visas was made even more difficult during a transfer window where ‘‘a lot of players are reluctant to give their passports away because they might need them to move, and I want my young players playing football week in week out.’’
Wales centre half James Lawrence explained the long process he had to go through to obtain his visa and highlighted the number of details required that included biometric data, salary, and living situation
‘You gotta do it because we want to go.’’
Although the less-than-ideal situation, Page reiterated the fact that ‘We have to get on with it.
“We have to take the positives out of the situation and that’s what we’ll do’, epitomising the character and determination of this Wales squad and staff.
With two important World Cup qualifying matches coming up following tomorrow’s friendly against Finland, Wales will be hoping for maximum points.
‘’They’re massive six points available for the qualification games, to have as many points as you can to push towards the top of the table and to put pressure on the other teams in the group to perform as well,” said Lawrence.
Despite all the worries and barriers in the last few days for the squad, Lawrence assured everyone that morale is high,.
‘We are a very upbeat group, we are always quite light-hearted, joking around with each other having fun but then at the same time we can also knuckle down and get very serious when the time comes.
“I think that’s an amazing balance to have’’.
Today arose a covid case within the Wales camp with goalkeeper Adam Davies testing positive, later in the day striker Kieffer Moore was identified as a close contact to Davies and therefore he will have to self-isolate for ten days.
Both will miss the three upcoming games
