Ramsey Returns For Wales Play-off Push
Wales Captain Aaron Ramsey has been named in manager Rob Page’s squad for the upcoming play-off match against Finland.
Ramsey, who has 84 caps for his country, is deemed fit enough to take part in the squad despite playing little more than an hour of football since the 16th of September and not playing since the 13th of February because of a calf injury.
Should Wales win against Finland, at the Cardiff City stadium on the 21st of March, they will face the winner of Poland v Estonia, again at home, on the 26th.
Whoever wins that match will qualify for the Euros in Germany.
If Wales manage to do that, it will mean an historic third consecutive major competition and third consecutive Euros place.
Wales are without Joe Morrell (knee), Niall Huggins (knee) and Tom Bradshaw (achilles) from November’s squad against Armenia and Turkey along with Tom Lockyer, with the Luton defender recovering following a cardiac arrest at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in December.
Wycombe centre back Joe Low replaces Lockyer in the squad while there are also recalls for Ipswich’s Wes Burns, alongside Rabbi Matondo and Dylan Levitt, plus Rubin Colwill and Charlie Savage are called up from the under 21s.
Leeds United pairing Ethan and Daniel James are set to win their 50th caps for their country should they feature against Finland a week Thursday.
On Ramsey’s return Wales manager Rob Page said: “It’s not been ideal for him, he’s had a few setbacks but if there’s a chance for him to be involved in the squad I’m going to take him.
“He’s on the grass this week and his rehab to full fitness is on track. The last two camps he’s been in and around the squad even though he’s not been able to play.
“He wouldn’t put himself as fit if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t put himself forward.
“If it’s a bit part of the game then we’ll use him, he’s got loads of quality and has a lot to offer and when he’s got the opportunity to give minutes off the bench we’ll use him.”
Page also stressed the strength Wales have in attacking areas.
“It’s a selection headache for me, but a good one” said Page.
“We’re probably in the healthiest position we’ve been in with regards to minutes an thankfully the players are playing well and scoring goals.
“Kieffer Moore in particular has been scoring goals, Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns are doing well as well at Ipswich.
“I also saw David Brooks and he was outstanding when Southampton played Birmingham setting up one goal and scoring another.
“We’ve never had the luxury we’ve got today, the healthiest position we’ve been in terms of game time and fitness.”
Wales squad: Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Ward (Leicester City), King (Wolverhampton Wanderers), A Davies (Sheffield United), B Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Rodon (Leeds United on loan from Tottenham), Mepham (Bournemouth), Low (Wycombe Wanderers), Cabango (Swansea City), N Williams (Nottingham Forest), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Roberts (Leeds on loan from Burnley), Burns (Ipswich Town), Ampadu (Leeds), Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Levitt (Hibernian) J James (Birmingham City), Savage (Reading), Ramsey (Cardiff City) capt., Wilson (Fulham), Matondo (Rangers), Brooks (Southampton on loan from Bournemouth), D James (Leeds), Broadhead (Ipswich Town), Cullen (Swansea), Colwill (Cardiff), Johnson (Tottenham), Moore (Ipswich on loan from Bournemouth).
