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| Anticipated: Wales Set to Deploy a Youthful and Novice Squad in Friendly Against Gibraltar in Wrexham on Wednesday. |
Wales Manager Robert Page's Focus on Euro 2024 Qualifier Against Croatia
Wales' national football team manager, Robert Page, is gearing up for a pivotal Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia, which is scheduled for Sunday at Cardiff City Stadium. In preparation for this critical match, Page has decided to rest his primary first-team players and instead field a lineup composed of emerging talents and uncapped players in their encounter against Gibraltar, currently ranked 198th in the FIFA world rankings.
Page expressed confidence in the younger members of the squad, stating, "The senior players have facilitated their integration seamlessly. They have displayed exceptional performance during training, and I'm eagerly anticipating their participation in a competitive match."
This Wales vs. Gibraltar match marks the first senior-level meeting between the two teams, having previously faced off at the under-21, under-19, and semi-professional levels. Additionally, it signifies the return of international football to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, where Wales last played Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.
As Page prioritizes the fitness and well-being of his first-choice players for the forthcoming showdown with Croatia, he intends to provide debuts to several young talents against Gibraltar. Among these promising players are 20-year-old midfielder Charlie Savage from Reading, who is the son of former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage. Also making his senior squad debut is 21-year-old Liverpool left-back on loan at Dundee, Owen Beck.
Two other uncapped talents, Luke Harris from Fulham and Regan Poole from Portsmouth, have also received the call-up and are poised for their debuts. Robert Page's experience as Wales' intermediate manager, responsible for coaching the Under-21s, Under-17s, and Under-19s, has given him valuable insights into the potential of these emerging talents.
In terms of team news, Wales is dealing with the absence of captain Aaron Ramsey, who is sidelined for a minimum of eight to ten weeks due to a knee injury. This injury not only rules him out for the Croatia match but also for Wales' upcoming qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey in November.
Furthermore, Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson will be unavailable for the Gibraltar and Croatia matches due to a hamstring injury. However, his injury is not considered severe. In Ramsey's absence, Ben Davies of Tottenham will captain Wales in the match against Croatia, although there's a possibility that he may be rested for the Gibraltar encounter.
Page has noted that Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham, who has not played since the September international break, is not expected to be fit for the Gibraltar match. Nevertheless, he remains with the squad with hopes of featuring against Croatia.
A hamstring injury has forced Swansea City center-back Ben Cabango to withdraw from the squad, and he has been replaced by uncapped defender Joe Low from Wycombe Wanderers. Additionally, Sheffield United goalkeeper Adam Davies withdrew from the squad and has been substituted by Wolves' Tom King.
Page has also confirmed that injuries will keep Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo and Queens Park Rangers defender Morgan Fox out of the squad.
In conclusion, the Wales vs. Gibraltar match is a significant opportunity for Robert Page to showcase the young talents emerging in the squad while keeping his senior players fresh for the all-important Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia.
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