AARON STILL HAS A LOT TO OFFER PAGE
WALES boss Rob Page insists Aaron Ramsey’s surprise selection for Euro 2024 play-off duty is not a gamble.
Skipper Ramsey (above) has not started a match for six months after suffering a knee injury.
The 84-cap midfielder returned for Cardiff in February but made only two substitute appearances – playing a combined 72 minutes – before picking up a calf complaint.
Cardiff manager Erol Bulut initially ruled Ramsey out of the play-offs, but the 33-year-old could now feature for his country.
“It’s not been ideal for Aaron, he’s had a few setbacks,” Page (below) said after naming Ramsey in a
28-man squad for the play-off semifinal with Finland in Cardiff on March 21 and a potential home final against Estonia or Poland five days later.
“Sometimes injuries change from the first instance. They can change overnight, there can be a difference in diagnosis. If there’s a chance of having him involved in the squad I’m going to take it and name him.
“The last two camps we’ve had him in and around the squad, even though he’s not been able to play a part. To have someone of his stature in and around the players is beneficial for us.
“Irrespective of what happens at the weekend (when Cardiff play Swansea in the South Wales derby), he’s on the grass this week.
“We’ll get him in camp and assess him,” Page said.
“We’ve already had conversations with him. Our medical team are based in Hensol where Cardiff train, that’s the luxury we’ve had of being in the same vicinity.”
On the risk of rushing Ramsey back to playing, Page added: “Times have changed. We’re not where we were two or three years ago. You look at the quality of players we’ve got. The strength in depth we’ve got.
“When you now look at the other names in that squad, there’s a good selection headache for me to have.
“His rehab back to full fitness has gone to plan. If he has the potential to give us some minutes off the bench we’ll use him. He still has a lot to offer.”
Speaking last week about his playing return, Ramsey said: “It’s coming along. Hopefully I’ll be back out on the grass next week.”