Wales manager Chris Coleman has named his squad for the two March friendlies, ahead of the Euro finals in France. Dai Sport’s Ross Tyson (Twitter @rosstyson) takes a closer look.
Euro 2016 seems quite close now doesn’t it? Chris Coleman has just picked his squad for the Easter-sandwiched friendlies against Northern Ireland (19:45, Thursday 24th March, at Cardiff City Stadium) and Ukraine (19:00 Monday, 28th March, at NSK Olympiyskiy Stadium, Kiev) and it’s the last squad he’ll get to pick before his submits his final squad for the tournament. So who’s in and what are the main talking points?
Position: Goalkeeper
Selected: W. Hennessey, D. Ward, O. Fon Williams
Talking points: Hennessey, despite gigantic performances in qualification (seven clean sheets in 10 appearances) hasn’t been convincing in Palace’s New Year slump. So now may be the time for Chris Coleman to look at his other keepers, maybe not to take over as first choice, but to at least assess who might be his second choice keeper and who will be his third.
Position: Defence
Selected: A. Williams, J. Chester, B. Davies, C. Gunter, A. Matthews, N. Taylor, A. Henley, A. Richards
Talking points: A hamstring injury has meant we’ll have to wait until the tournament itself to see if it’s the recently rejuvenated James Collins, Baggies’ back-up James Chester, or both who form Wales’ defence alongside Ashley Williams. It’s safe to assume Gunter, Davies and Taylor are almost certain of their plane seats, but the selection of Ashley Richards, Adam Matthews and Adam Henley may suggest Coleman is yet to decide on his full backs cover. Injured Paul Dummett could still be an option, too.
Position: Midfield
Selected: J. Ledley, J. Allen, D. Vaughan, E. Huws, J. Williams, S. MacDonald, L. Isgrove, A. Crofts
Talking point: The obvious omission is the injured Aaron Ramsey, so it will be interesting to see how Coleman counteracts it. He’s taking no chances naming eight players who can play in the middle, but there won’t be a place for all of them in France. So, these friendlies could be a straight shoot-out for places. Andy King hasn’t been risked with an injury concern, whilst David Edwards would probably have made the squad, too, if he was fit.
Position: Attackers
Selected: G. Williams, D. Cotterill, H. Rob-Kanu, T. Lawrence, T. Bradshaw, S. Church, S. Vokes
Talking point: Sam Vokes is recapturing his true form from before his knee operation and could lead the line, though Simon Church’s move north of the border has helped him find his long abandoned goal scoring touch. Red-hot Tom Bradshaw is overdue a cap but selection won’t be easy. Robson-Kanu, like talisman Gareth Bale, has his passport stamped already. So, Tom Lawrence, George Williams and David Cotterill have to use these friendlies to assure themselves of a place, as at least one of them will miss out.
Overall:
It will be interesting to see how Wales cope without star turns Ramsey and Bale, and it will be intriguing to see who ‘grabs the brass ring’ in their absence. The squad is also three men heavier (26 selected) than UEFA will allow to be registered for the finals (23 including three goalkeepers), so the final squad is very much in the balance. Current absentees will now have to rely on club form or an injury to find their way through the Eurotunnel.
