From Graham Thomas in Dinard
Wales trio Joe Ledley, Joe Allen and Hal Robson-Kanu are all in the running to face Slovakia in the team’s Euro 2016 opener on Saturday.
The injury concerns were able to play a full part in training at their base in Dinard on Tuesday, according to manager Chris Coleman.
Of the three, Allen is the most likely to start as his knee injury is considered the least serious. But both Ledley – who suffered a hairline fracture to his shin bone as recently as May 7 – and Robson-Kanu, who has been suffering from an Achilles tendon problem, could also feature at some stage.
Coleman, giving his first press conference at the team’s Brittany headquarters, said: “If situation stays the same, the three will be available this weekend.
“All three players came through sessions yesterday, fully integrated with the squad, so it’s positive news. All three are good, lacking game-time, but physically they look very good.”
Coleman and his squad arrived in France late on Sunday night and enjoyed a day off from training on Tuesday, although Ledley, Allen and Robson-Kanu continued to receive treatment.
For Coleman, the challenge for his players ahead of the match against the in-form Slovakians is as much mental as physical. He has particularly stressed the switch in mindset they must make in playing in their first tournament finals and was eager to dismiss Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Sweden, which he blamed upon himself.
“We have tried to remind the players of why we are here, what got us here in the first place, and what we now have to recapture.
“It’s about reiterating to the players the things that enabled us to qualify. After a defeat, you can look for intricate excuses. But the players know why it happened.
“It was the first time in two years we have been really under par, but it was my fault. I arranged the game and I knew it would be tough, but I felt we needed minutes on the pitch.
“When the bell tolls, we now have to be ready. We need to enjoy it, but be ourselves. It’s no good trying to be something we’re not.”
Coleman insists Slovakia – who were third seeds in the group, even though they beat reigning European champions Spain on their way to qualifying – are firm favourites for the game in Bordeaux.
Manager Jan Kozak’s side claimed an impressive friendly victory away against World Cup holders Germany in May and Coleman added: “We know it’s a tough test against a very tough Slovakian team, who will probably be favourites. They have had some great results.
“If you look at the four teams in the group, then we are the underdogs. But we knew that before we got to the tournament. That doesn’t mean we can’t get enough points that we can’t progress because we’re capable of that – we know that.
“We know why we’re here, but what’s coming is something we’ve never experienced. It’s a huge challenge for us, and one we deserve. This is what we’ve been screaming for.”
