Aaron Ramsey, the captain of Wales, has been left out of Robert Page’s team for Wales’ vital Euro 2024 qualifying match against Croatia. Brennan Johnson is also absent after recently missing Tottenham Hotspur games due to a hamstring injury. Instead, a few less well-known and uncapped players have been chosen ahead of two friendly games against Gibraltar and the Croats at home.
After depressing defeats to Armenia at home and Turkey on the road in June, Page’s team maintained their chances of automatic qualifying with a 2-0 victory in Riga. Wales will play Croatia in Cardiff after a domestic exhibition match against Gibraltar in Wrexham. There, they will look to repeat Nathan Broadhead’s heroics from a late equalise in Split in March. Our ‘Don’t Take Me Home’ newsletter offers additional information about Wales football. Subscribe here.
Following injuries to two crucial players, Robert Page’s 26-man squad includes uncapped Fulham teenager Luke Harris, new Reading recruit Charlie Savage, and Liverpool under-21 fullback Owen Beck in their first senior call-ups. Ramsey’s injury was fully disclosed on Sunday, when Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut said he didn’t anticipate the midfielder to be ready for international duty. On Tuesday night, he said that he hoped no surgery would be necessary for the talisman.
Johnson’s injury was “nothing too serious,” according to Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, before Spurs’ 2-1 victory against Liverpool. According to some sources, Johnson could even be able to make Page’s team. Every starter from the Latvia game, save Ramsey and Johnson, is included in the team for this international break.
Since joining Leeds, Ethan Ampadu has developed into one of the Championship’s most intriguing midfielders, and he is certain to start against Croatia. Jordan James of Birmingham City, who recently scored as a late replacement for his club and displayed solid midfield play for Wales, rejoins the team in fine shape.
Regan Poole, a Cardiff native and former Wales under-21 defender, has been selected at centre back for Portsmouth after backup defender Morgan Fox was replaced in the fourth minute of QPR’s previous home encounter. He and other auxiliary players would like to participate in Wales’ first game in Wrexham since 2019.
“To even be mentioning surgery means it is a significant injury,” Page said of Ramsey. In my professional life, I have had injuries, and there are always options: let it heal naturally or get surgery.
With a victory, Wales might tie Croatia for points or surpass Turkey and Armenia, depending on other outcomes, especially if goal differential goes in Wales’ favour. However, there is still hope thanks to the playoffs (more on that here).
On Wednesday, October 11, Wales will welcome Gibraltar in Wrexham before taking on Croatia on Sunday, October 15, at Cardiff City Stadium.
