Wales predicted XI v Gibraltar: Rob Page to rest stars ahead of EURO 2024 qualifier
Wales manager Rob Page ahead of kick off. Wales v Latvia in a UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium on the 28th March 2023. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Wales take on Gibraltar in a International friendly on Wednesday night at the STōK Cae Ras. It will be the men’s national teams first visit to Wrexham since 2019.
This is a look at the potential startling 11 for the game.
GK – Danny Ward
With the importance of Sundays fixture against Croatia in mind, the friendly will be a good opportunity to get some much needed game time for Danny Ward who is likely to start in net in Cardiff. It is a position where Wales are struggling with players who are getting regular minutes at club level so a sharp Danny Ward will be needed.
RB – Wes Burns
The Ipswich player has been a regular feature in the recent squads but hasn’t been given many opportunities with Neco Williams being a standout player. He’s had a great start to the season with Championship high flyers Ipswich and this could be an opportunity to stake a claim for more game time.
CB – Tom Lockyer
The Luton defender was integral to their promotion season last term and has had a solid start in the Premier League. This is an opportunity for him to push for a place in the starting squad and put pressure on the likely starting duo for Sunday Joe Rodon and Ben Davies.
CB – Chris Mepham
The Bournemouth defender who has amassed 33 caps could be set for a start and much needed game time. He has only featured twice this season in the Premier League so a good opportunity to get minutes before Sunday.
LB – Ben Davies
The experienced international will be taking the armband in the absence of Aaron Ramsey. He has had limited minutes at club level so far this season so a good opportunity here to get some much needed game time ahead of Sunday.
CM – Charlie Savage
The second youngster due to link back up with the under 21 squad after the friendly in Wrexham. With this in mind he is surely set to make his first senior appearance for Cymru. He has played 11 times for League One Reading this season after leaving Manchester United in the summer. He has also made eight youth team appearances for Wales.
CM – Dylan Levitt
The 22 year old Hibernian midfielder has amassed 13 senior caps since his first against Finland in 2020. The friendly will be an opportunity for him to fight for a place in Sundays match with the limited midfield options.
CM – Josh Sheehan
His appearance against South Korea was his first for the national side since his cruciate ligament injury in 2022. Another friendly here is a great opportunity to reintegrate him in to the squad for potential future call ups.
RW – Tom Bradshaw
The Millwall forward has only managed six appearances for the senior team since his debut in 2016. The friendly will be a good opportunity for him to have good minutes and push for a place in the starting squad.
LW – Luke Harris
Another youngster who is set to join with the under 21 squad after the friendly. He is yet to make a first senior appearance so a great opportunity for Rob Page to give him his first chance to impress.
ST – Kieffer Moore
He is going to be influential to Wales’ success if they are to win on Sunday. He hasn’t had regular minutes at Bournemouth this season so a great opportunity to get some minutes in the legs and some goal scoring form before the big game.
With it being a friendly fixture there is likely to be wholesale changes during the game.
Regan Poole, Liam Cullen and Joe Low and Adam King could all potentially earn their first senior team caps.
Liverpool youngster Owen Beck is set to earn his first senior cap before joining up with the under 21 squad alongside Savage and Harris.
Ipswich forward Nathan Broadhead has been suffering with a thigh issue in recent weeks that could limit his minutes. He did play and score against Preston on the weekend in a 65 minute appearance.
First team regulars Neco Williams, Rodon, Davies, Roberts, Ampadu, James, Wilson, and Brooks could all feature but with the importance of Sunday’s fixture Rob Page may not want to risk injuries.
Youngster Jordan James is also in contention to start on Sunday so may not be risked. He is likely to take the place of injured captain Aaron Ramsey.
