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Ben Davies Could Still Make World Cup, Insists Wales Boss Craig Bellamy

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies. Pic. Alamy

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies. Pic. Alamy

The race against time by Ben Davies, to recover from a serious ankle injury has become a central concern for Wales as the World Cup play-offs edge closer.

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has conceded the Tottenham Hotspur defender is unlikely to feature in the play-off semi-final while keeping the door open for a potential return later in the campaign.

Davies is recovering from a broken ankle sustained against West Ham last month and has since undergone two operations. 

With the World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff now less than two months away, Bellamy indicated the timeline is tight for the experienced defender, even if he stopped short of ruling him out altogether should Wales progress.

READ MORE: Ben Davies Surgery on Broken Ankle is Massive Blow to Wales

Bellamy acknowledged that the situation remains fluid and dependent on Davies’ recovery rather than the calendar.

“If Spurs say he’s out until April what do you reckon (for the play-offs)? I’ve spoken to him, but I believe you’re ready when you’re ready.

“From my own experience of being injured, especially long-term ones, there’s no real date on it.

“Your body’s going to recover the way it recovers when it’s ready.”

READ MORE: Craig Bellamy Backs Ben Davies to Lead Wales Despite Tottenham Uncertainty

Wales will face Italy or Northern Ireland in the play-off final on March 31 if they overcome Bosnia.

Bellamy has made it clear that while the semi-final may come too soon for Davies, the World Cup itself remains a possibility should qualification be secured.

READ MORE: Joe Rodon Backs Ethan Ampadu to Thrive as Wales Captain After Ben Davies Blow

Alongside the uncertainty surrounding Davies’ fitness, Bellamy is also managing a delicate situation involving captain Aaron Ramsey, though he insisted the midfielder’s future will be handled with patience and care rather than pressure.

Ramsey has not played competitively since September 28, the final appearance of a short spell with Mexican side Pumas UNAM. 

The 35-year-old admitted he was “surprised” and “disappointed” when his contract was terminated the following month, leaving him without a club as he attempts to keep alive hopes of featuring at another World Cup.

Since returning home, Ramsey has trained at the Football Association of Wales headquarters on the outskirts of Cardiff and was present in the dugout when Wales emphatically beat North Macedonia 7-1 in a World Cup qualifier in November. 

However, he remains without a team and spent last weekend playing golf at the Reignwood Icons of Football event in Bangkok alongside former players.

Bellamy said he has deliberately avoided pushing Ramsey into any decision, despite the looming semi-final against Bosnia being just over 50 days away.

“I think we have to be really respectful of this, I think we need to respect our athletes, our Welsh ones we cherish,” Bellamy said when asked about speculation that Ramsey may be considering retirement.

“What you’ve done for us, what memories you’ve been able to give us, whatever time you need we’ll give you, we aren’t pushing you.

“We’re not like other people, we take care of our own. We look after our own and whatever decision they choose, we back you no matter what.”

Bellamy revealed he has not spoken directly to Ramsey about his future, explaining that he sees it as his responsibility to give the midfielder space rather than apply external deadlines.

“I feel it’s my duty to allow him the time,” Bellamy said while speaking at Wrexham’s Wynnstay Arms, exactly 150 years after the Football Association of Wales was founded at the venue.

“This is a decision that he makes, when you’ve been as good as he has for us and in general, this is his decision.

“If he feels he’s ready to go and he wants to keep going, we go and we’ll see where you are and then we’ll come to that decision.

“If you feel it’s the end of the day and it’s not for you, tell me where you want your statue.”

With Davies rehabbing patiently and Ramsey weighing his next move, Bellamy faces a balancing act between short-term preparation and long-term loyalty. 

 

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