ASH HOPES CHANGE CAN LEAD TO A CALL
ASHLEY Williams hopes his move to Bristol City will help him a return to the Wales squad. The centre-back was without a club for several months after being released by Everton in the summer and missed out on Ryan Giggs’ squad for the recent double-header against Azerbaijan and Belarus.
He has since joined Bristol City and made his debut for the Robins against former club Stoke City last weekend before facing another old side, Swansea, on Saturday.
Williams has revealed national team boss Giggs has left the door open for the 35-year-old to return to the Wales set-up if he can perform well at club level.
“We spoke for quite a while before (Wales squad announcement) and I didn’t expect anything differently, to be honest. I didn’t expect to be called in when I was unattached,” said the defender.
“He did say if I get sorted and I’m playing then I’ll be back involved and captain. So in terms of that, everyone knows how passionate I am about Wales and how much I enjoy playing for them and I love it there, so I’d like that to continue for as long as possible.
“First and foremost, my focus is Bristol City and trying to do what we need to do here. And then off the back of that if that puts me in a good position to play for Wales then brilliant.”
Joe Rodon made his debut for Wales in the Euro 2020 qualifying win over Azerbaijan at Cardiff City Stadium, with the Swansea defender being partnered by Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham.
And Williams admits he has a real fight on his hands to win his place back in Giggs’ side.
“I think it’s really good for Wales with the players we’ve got coming in. James Lawrence you missed off that list as well. He’s done really well when called upon,” added Williams.
“For me, being a player for Wales, I want to play as many games as I can. Get as many caps as I can and still be the captain but for all of us, it’s brilliant that we’ve got competition across the board and at centre-half we’re quite strong.
“I’m pleased for Joe Rodon, he’s a great lad and I know him well from when I was at Swansea and I always thought he’d be a good player and I tried to help him. We have a good relationship so I was pleased to see him make his debut. The fact he’s doing well for Swansea is pleasing.”
The 86-cap international has turned vegan in a bid to prolong his football career.
And Williams admits he’s already feeling the benefits having revealed he feels better now at the age of 35 than he did three years ago during his time with Everton.
He said: “It feels normal now, but it felt like a big change at the time when I did it [about two years ago].
“I’m not going to be up here waving a vegan flag, but I can only speak for myself and tell people how I feel and how it’s worked for me and it seems to be working.
“I’m a bundle of energy and I know things decline when you get older but I’m not sure I’d be playing or in the shape I am in now if I didn’t go this way with my diet.
“I can’t say it’s for everyone, but it definitely works for me.”
■ WALES could play their crucial Euro 2020 qualifier with Slovakia in Trnava next month behind closed doors.
The Slovakian FA say they face punishment from UEFA’s Disciplinary Board due to the behaviour of fans during their away win at bitter rivals Hungary.
The statement does not specify the exact offence, but it does claim that the game could now be played “without spectators”, adding that they could also be fined around EUR20,000.
However, the Slovakian FA has insisted that it intends to appeal.