‘No excuses’ – Craig Bellamy reaction as Wales squad announced

Wales manager Craig Bellamy has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup play-off fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If Bellamy’s side secure victory against the side ranked 36 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings, they will then face the winner of Italy or Northern Ireland in the capital five days later for a place at this summer’s competition.

Star man Harry Wilson has been included in the squad despite recent injury concerns. Leeds United’s Joe Rodon and Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor also make the cut, even after picking up knocks while playing for their clubs.

The major blow for Wales is the absence of captain Ben Davies, who will miss the upcoming international fixtures after suffering an injury while playing for Spurs, one that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season and potentially the tournament itself should Bellamy’s side qualify.

Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore, along with Chris Mepham, is also ruled out through injury. The winners of this play-off bracket will book their place in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Craig Bellamy shares frustration ahead of World Cup play-offs

Bellamy has stated there will be no excuses about his squad heading into the vital World Cup play-off against Bosnia, believing that they will need every player available to book their place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

“You’ll never hear me complain, never, he said.

“I think we’ve got four or five players at this present moment (out injured), there might be more come the weekend,” said the Wales boss.

“In my time here, I’ve always constantly kept using the squad, every game you see six or seven changes we need a squad.

“To qualify for this World Cup, we’ve already played eight games, it could be ten, I’ve always said to qualify its a squad that gets you there. Come Sunday evening, no matter where we are or who we have there’s no excuses I’ll be happy again.”

With injury worries in recent weeks leading to the squad announcement, it was revealed that eyes were being kept on Tottenham Hotspur defender Ashley Phillips, with the 20-year-old centre back currently on loan at Stoke City being considered after representing the nation at youth level.

Despite the interest, Phillips hasn’t been named in the latest squad, with Bellamy sharing his frustration at the fact that conversations around the player had been released publicly.

He said: “I’m so so disappointed it’s got out again, it doesn’t help us trust me.

“I’m the one who has to ring the coaches up, I’m the one that has to ring Stoke up and apologise.

“It doesn’t do us any service at all, because you give us less of a chance of getting this type of player. With players of quality and they have a chance of being able to play for Wales, we have to be (active), that’s for another time hopefully.”

Wales Squad for Play-Off Fixtures

Karl DARLOW (Leeds United), Danny WARD (Wrexham), Adam DAVIES (Sheffield United), Tom KING (Everton), Jay DASILVA (Coventry City), Rhys NORRINGTON-DAVIES (Queens Park Rangers, on loan from Sheffield United), Dylan LAWLOR (Cardiff City), Ben CABANGO (Swansea City), Joe RODON (Leeds United), Neco WILLIAMS (Nottingham Forest), Ronan KPAKIO (Cardiff City), Ethan AMPADU (Leeds United), Josh SHEEHAN (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan JAMES (Leicester City, on loan from Stade Rennais), Liam, CULLEN (Swansea City), Joel COLWILL (Cardiff City), Harry WILSON (Fulham), David BROOKS (Bournemouth), Nathan BROADHEAD (Wrexham), Brennan JOHNSON (Crystal Palace), Sorba THOMAS (Stoke City), Mark HARRIS (Oxford United), Lewis KOUMAS (Hull City, on loan from Liverpool), Dan JAMES (Leeds United), Rabbi MATONDO (Rangers), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).