Wales will gladly take advantage if dispute leads to Denmark’s biggest names not playing: Chester

WALES defender James Chester has welcomed the possibility that Uefa Nations League opponents Denmark could be without Christian Eriksen and company in Aarhus on Sunday.

The Danes are involved in an extraordinary row between their Player Association (Spillerne) and Football Association (DBU) which threatens both this fixture and Denmark’s participation in the 2020 Euros.

The long-running dispute is over a new commercial rights agreement for the squad, and the DBU has threatened to select players from Denmark’s lower leagues rather than the likes of Spurs midfielder Eriksen (right), Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen and Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

“It would certainly make it an easier fixture without Eriksen,” Chester said. “He is one of the best players in the Premier League. He showed that at the World Cup.”

Denmark are due to play a friendly in Slovakia tomorrow but at present do not have a playing squad to fulfil the fixture.

Manager Age Hareide and assistant Jon Dahl Tomasson are said to be “working from home” and will not be in charge for the game in Trnava.

Hareide’s squad were due to meet in Copenhagen yesterday to discuss the situation after Spillerne issued a strongly-worded statement that the DBU had walked out of weekend talks.

“All is not well over there at the moment, but it’s nothing to do with us,” Chester said. “We’ll be in Denmark on Sunday regardless of what squad they pick, and looking to win.”

Ryan Giggs’ side are preparing for their opening Nations League game against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff on Thursday.

“Any game that involves the Republic holds a bit of bite and tension in the air,” Chester said.

“It’s a good game for us after our World Cup disappointment.”