Page is ensuring players fit the bill
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ROB PAGE will be keeping close contact with Wales players throughout the winter as the country prepares for its day of destiny in the World Cup play-offs.
The interim boss is leaving no stone unturned ahead of their showdown with Austria next March and intends to visit each of his squad to ram home the importance of staying in top shape.
Wales haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1958 and only the Austrians – and possibly Scotland – stand in their way of ending that wait.
Page said: “I will be visiting the players. I’ll be speaking to them constantly, particularly with regard to their fitness, I’ll be keeping my finger on the pulse.
“Our head physio Sean Connelly will be doing the same – making sure people are fighting fit and raring to go.
“It’s what we dreamed of as young boys. Growing up I always wanted to be part of World Cup qualification and a World Cup. We’re two wins away from it.”
World Cup qualification remains the Holy Grail for the Wales team.
But they have qualified for the past two European Championships – reaching the semi-finals five years ago – and Page believes that has played a crucial part in getting them to the play-off stage.
“The plan is to qualify for major tournaments,” he said.
“We have done that twice in the Euros. It breeds success.
“When you’ve got a record like that – and with the record we have at home – then you grow in confidence.
“It’s important we keep building those blocks. We have won the Nations League, gone from Group B to Group A.
“We’ll be giving it everything to make sure we cross the line and finish off the job.”