Cymru World Cup squad: Rob Page makes no surprises but Joe Allen faces fitness race

From a welfare hall in the Rhondda valleys Cymru manager Rob Page announced his squad for the 2022 World Cup. Swansea’s Joe Allen is named but will face a race to be fit.

From his home town in Tylorstown Page named the 26 that will head to Qatar for the world cup. It was not the ordinary venue to release a international squad but spoke to Rob Page’s working class roots. Returning to where he would play snooker many years ago.

It will be the first Cymru squad to head to a World Cup since Jimmy Murphy’s side went to Sweden in 1958. That Cymru team made it to the quarter finals losing to winners Brazil 1-0. It will be the second major tournament for manager Rob Page who lead Cymru in the 2020 Euros reaching the knock-out rounds.

Some of the names pick themselves and Cymru’s big name players such as Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Dan James and Kieffer Moore all make the 26. Harry Wilson, Joe Morrell and Jonny Williams are named along with Matt Smith and Sorba Thomas.

Joe Allen, who has been struggling with an injury at Swansea is also is named in the squad. Allen now faces a race for fitness ahead of the tournament. Page confirmed that Joe Allen may not be ready when his face will up against the USA.

“Well, we’ve given him every opportunity to be fit.

“There was no way I was never going to not name him in the 26, he’s on the grass is progressing as we want him to.

“And we’ll give him every opportunity to be fit for that first game.”

When pressed if Joe Allen would be able to line up against the USA Page was unsure,

“I don’t know, being honest with you, I don’t know.”

Page has spoken to Joe Allen and has tried to take some of the pressure of the players shoulders.

“I don’t want to put that pressure on him.

“I phoned him a couple of days ago and said he’s in the 26 just to take that pressure off him and just focus on his recovery and getting fit.”

“There’s no secrets he’s if he’s fit, he’ll play, he is massive part of how we play and, and the success we’ve had, so we’ll give him every opportunity.”

Brennan Johnson and Cardiff duo Mark Harris and Rubin Colwill will add to Page’s attacking options in the absence of Tyler Roberts who is out injured and will miss the tournament. Johnson hit 18 Championship goals last season and two in the Premier league this season. Mark Harris has scored three times in 20 matches this season for Cardiff City.

In defence Page has named full backs Connor Roberts and Neco Williams alongside the experience of AFC Wimbledon’s Chris Gunter. Ethan Ampadu, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon and Ben Cabango all make the squad. Rhys Norrington-Davies will not make this squad due to injury which was revelelled last week.

The most surprising name in the Cymru Squad will be Luton Towns Tom Lockyer. Lockyer has made a return to the squad after 12 months without a call up. Lockyer has made 15 Championship appearances this season and has 14 caps for his country. Page told the media that Lockyer will add vital experience and cover in the absence of Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Page talked about how Luton boss Nathan Jones has praised the defender,

“I think we just needed that little bit of experience as well.

“I spoke to Nathan Jones, a valley boy a couple of days ago and he was singing his praises and said, he has done well and so for me it was a no brainer to get in with his experience back in.

“He’s earned the right to be back involved in it.”

Rob page will have his core 11 when the squad travel out to Qatar for the World Cup. Captain Gareth Bale will be riding high after winning the MSL Cup at new side LA FC recently. Aaron Ramsey returned to the Nice starting line up in their 1-0 win over Brest playing the full 90 minutes.

On the subject of his captain not maybe getting many minutes lately Page said,

“Has he played as many minutes as we’d like, probably not, but that doesn’t worry me because, again, he’s proven time and time again, that when he puts the Welsh jersey on irrespective of how many minutes he’s played at domestic level, he’s always produced and on the big occasions he will turn up and enjoy it and thrive on it.”

Wayne Hennessy, Danny Ward and Adam Davies are the three goal keepers selected. It will be a tough choice between Hennessey, who played a huge part in Cymru’s playoff win and Danny Ward. Ward has become first choice at Leicester City this season after the departure of Kasper Schmeical.

When asked about how well his side could do Page said,

“Not being disrespectful to any of the teams that we’re playing against.

“But, you know, we’ve got to have that belief that we can get out of the group.

“If we give the levels of performance against Belgium we did in June, against USA against the Iran against England, then I think the result takes care of itself”

Cymru will travel to Qatar next week and will face the USA in their opening match on November 21st.

Cymru Squad in Full

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessy (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United).

Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Tom Lockyer Luton Town), Joe Rodon (Rennes on Loan from Tottenham), Chris Mepham (AFC Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Spezia on loan from Chelsea), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley).

Midfielders: Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Matt Smith (MK Dons), Dylan Levitt, (Dundee United) Harry Wilson (Fulham), Jonny Williams (Charlton Athletic), Aaron Ramsey (Nice).

Attackers: Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Gareth Bale (LA FC), Kieffer Moore (AFC Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Dan James (Fulham On loan from Leeds United) .