By Graham Thomas
Wales manager Robert Page insists he has no worries over the fitness of Gareth Bale after naming him as World Cup captain – but admits the selection of Joe Allen is much more of a gamble.
Page has named a squad of 26 the tournament in Qatar that shows few, if any, surprises, but reflects his faith in the group of players who have overturned 64 years of history in a successful qualification campaign.
Bale is there as skipper, even though there are still doubts voiced by the man himself over how near full fitness he is after a stop-start period in the United States with Los Angeles FC.
Allen has been included, even though he has not played since September 17 because of a hamstring injury.
But both Rhys Norrington-Davies and Tyler Roberts were ruled out after picking up injuries in recent days.
That has given opportunities to Luton Town defender Tom Lockyer as well as Mark Harris of Cardiff City.
Page has recognised that Bale is not currently fully fit, but that insistence was long ago abandoned for the country’s talisman and greatest match-winners.
“He scored an important goal for LA. He showed athleticism to get the header. Has he played as many minutes as we’d like? Probably not. But that doesn’t worry me,” said Page.
“He’s proved time and time again when he puts the Welsh jersey on, irrespective of how many minutes he’s played at domestic level, he’s always produced.
“On big occasions he’ll always turn up, thrive, and enjoy it. No questions about him today.
“He’s already with the staff, over in the country and raring to go.
“He’ll have an effect on the game straightaway and when opposing managers see his name on the team sheet they’ll know.
“It’s the power that people like Gareth have because they always deliver.”
Asked if Bale is capable of playing three group stage matches inside nine days, Page added: “That’s the million dollar question. We don’t know, we’ll assess each game as it comes.
“We’re just full focused on the first game. Hopefully get off to a positive which is not losing the game.
“We’ll have a plan moving forward for the second one.
“If he’s part of that – great. If he’s not, we’ll manage the minutes.”
As for Bale’s fellow survivor from Euro 2016, Allen, the worries are far more severe as he has not played for almost two months since getting injured for Swansea City.
Page added: “We’re giving him every opportunity to be fit. There was no way I was never going to name him in the 26.
“He’s on the grass. He’s progressing as we want him to and we’ll give him every opportunity to be fit for the first game.
“I phoned him a couple of days ago to tell him he was in the 26 just to take that pressure off him. If he’s fit, he’s playing.
“He’s massive for how I play and the success we’ve had. We’ll give him every opportunity. He’s a senior lad, he’s got vast amounts of experience playing tournament football as well so he knows the game inside-out and that’s invaluable.
“That’s why I’m throwing everything at it. It’s similar to Joe Ledley probably in 2016, when Cookie (Chris Coleman) had that scenario with an experienced lad that he wanted to go in, because he needed him as a key figure in that team. For me it’s no different with Joe.”
Lockyer gets his opportunity after Norrington-Davies was ruled out following a hamstring problem suffered playing for Sheffield United.
“Rhys (Norrington-Davies) covers two positions for me,” added Page.
Tom Lockyer will find out tonight if he has made Rob Page’s 26-man Wales squad for the World Cup.
Best of luck Locks! #ORH | #LTFC pic.twitter.com/VUr65GEdWP
— Oak Road Hatter (@OakRoadHatter) November 9, 2022
“He’s a wing-back and I think his best position for us has been left-side centre back.
“Ben (Davies) is thriving and he’s doing really well, but outside of that Rhys is a big miss for us.
“Looking at the other defenders we’ve got – brilliant. But if anything happens to Joe (Rodon), or to Ben and Meps (Chris Mepham), then we have got Ben Cabango, or Gunts (Chris Gunter).
“But we needed that bit of experience.
“So, I spoke to Nathan Jones, another Valleys boy, a couple ofn days ago and he was singing his praises and saying how well he had done.
“So, for me it was a no-brainer to get him back in and he’s earned the right to be back involved.
“We have gone through all the permutations and we think we’ve got the right balance.”
Wales World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers:
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.
Defenders:
Ben Davies, Ben Cabango, Tom Lockyer, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Gunter, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts, Sorba Thomas.
Midfielders
Joe Allen, Matt Smith, Dylan Levitt, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Aaron Ramsey.
Forwards
Harry Wilson, Rubin Colwill, Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Mark Harris, Brennan Johnson, Daniel James.
