Ramsey hope for Croatia as he misses Slovakia trip

AARON Ramsey has been ruled out of Wales’ crunch Euro 2020 qualifier with Slovakia tonight due to injury.

The 28-year-old has not featured for Ryan Giggs’ side since the 1-0 friendly defeat to Albania in Elbasan last November.

He was included in the matchday squad for Juventus’ 2-1 win over Inter Milan on Sunday night, a result that saw Maurizio Sarri’s men move to the top of the Serie A table. Ramsey was an unused substitute in the game at the San Siro, but it emerged after the game that he did not feature for his club as he was struggling with muscle tightness.

He arrived back in south Wales on Monday and trained with the rest of the Wales squad in both of their morning sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, it has emerged that he did not travel with his international team mates to Slovakia, although it is hoped he will be fit for the qualifier against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday night.

An FAW statement read: “Aaron Ramsey has stayed behind in Cardiff to regain fitness for Sunday’s game against Croatia.”

Speaking about the injury, Giggs said: “He has a chance for Sunday.

“He just had a little bit of tightness in his adductor from last Sunday. He did a bit on the grass today.

“The physio stayed back to work with him for the next couple of days and we’re hopeful he’ll be available for Sunday.”

Ramsey has made five appearances in all competitions for Juventus since making the move from Arsenal to Italy in the summer.

And another thing...

■■Wales’ only previous away game against Slovakia ended in a 5-2 victory in September 2007. ■■Slovakia have won five of their last six home qualifying matches (Euro and World Cup combined), though they did lose 4-0 against Croatia last time. ■■None of Wales’ last 12 competitive matches have ended in a draw, winning seven and losing five since a 1-1 draw with Serbia in June 2017.