Welsh national team captain Aaron Ramsey is poised to miss the upcoming friendlies against Gibraltar and Slovakia due to a season marred by injury. The 33-year-old struggled to make an impact, playing only 13 times for Cardiff City and appearing twice during Wales’ European Championship qualifying campaign. Consequently, Wales manager Rob Page has chosen to exclude Ramsey from the squad in order for him to focus on recuperating his fitness.
Another notable absence is goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who is sidelined with a significant injury. Hennessey, who has earned 109 caps for Wales, has been a pivotal player since his debut in 2007. Additionally, manager Rob Page has decided to omit Oxford forward Mark Harris from the squad, despite his impressive performance and 19 goals for his club during the past season.
Despite the missing key players, Page has introduced five uncapped players to the squad, including 18-year-old Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas. Koumas, the son of former Wales midfielder Jason Koumas, is poised to follow in his father’s footsteps and make his mark as a full Wales international. Another young talent joining the ranks is 17-year-old Leeds United midfielder Charlie Crew, along with Coventry City’s Jay Dasilva, Fin Stevens, and Tom King.
Following Page’s decision, it was revealed that Ramsey was omitted from the squad to focus on returning to peak physical condition for the upcoming season. The manager expressed confidence that Ramsey, if fully fit, would continue to be an integral part of the team.
Despite mounting injuries, Wales is working towards preparing their squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The friendlies against Gibraltar and Slovakia are seen as crucial in their build-up for the opening fixture at home to Turkey, followed by matches against Montenegro and Iceland. The national team’s final group games will see them travelling to Turkey before wrapping up their campaign at home against Iceland. Danny Ward, Adam Davies, and Tom King have been selected as the three goalkeepers for the upcoming friendlies, with a mix of experienced and young talent making up the rest of the squad.
The absence of key players will undoubtedly pose a challenge for Wales, but it also presents an opportunity for emerging talents to prove their worth on the international stage. The upcoming friendlies are the perfect testing ground for the new additions to the squad as they work towards strengthening their team ahead of the Nations League fixtures.