World Cup 2022: Wales name injury doubt Joe Allen in 26-man squad

Wales name injury doubt Joe Allen in 26-man squad

Robert Page has named his 26-man squad for Wales’ first World Cup in 64 years, with midfielder Joe Allen included despite being a major injury doubt.

Gareth Bale captains a squad that has no surprising inclusions or omissions.

Rhys Norrington-Davies is out with a hamstring injury so Tom Lockyer is recalled more than a year since he last played for Wales, while a calf injury rules out forward Tyler Roberts.

Wales face the United States in their opening World Cup match on 21 November.

They are joined in Group B by Iran and England, who name their squad on Thursday.

Wales squad

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Stoke City).

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

Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Joe Allen (Swansea City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Matthew Smith (Milton Keynes Dons), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town).

Forwards: Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC), Dan James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds United), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest).

Page had previously indicated he had already decided on the majority of the 26 players he would be taking to Qatar, and that was evident at Wednesday’s announcement in his hometown of Tylorstown in the Rhondda valley as he stuck to a tried and trusted squad.

His biggest injury concern is influential midfielder Allen, who is named in the squad despite not playing for Swansea City since injuring his hamstring in September.

Swans head coach Russell Martin has confirmed Allen will not play for the Championship side before the World Cup, but Wales still hope the 32-year-old will be able to play some part in Qatar, even if he is not fit enough to start against the United States.

“It’s not ideal if I’m honest but we’re giving him every opportunity to get him fit to get into the starting XI for the first game,” said Page.

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