O’Neill rules out early Wales return for Joe
MICHAEL O’Neill says Joe Allen will not play international football this year as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.
The central midfielder has not featured for Stoke City or Wales since sustaining the injury in the Potters’ 5-1 win over Hull City in March.
Speaking after his side’s 2-0 loss to Allen’s former club Swansea City on Tuesday, O’Neill confirmed that the 30-year-old is now training on grass again as he steps up his recovery.
However, the Stoke boss says Allen will not be fit to feature for Wales in their matches against the United States of America, Republic of Ireland and Finland next month.
“Joe’s been out since the last game before lockdown, but what I will say is that he’s done everything possible in terms of his recovery. He’s been phenomenal in the work he’s done,” he said.
“But it’s a difficult injury to put a time frame on.
“He’s ruptured his Achilles and he’s had a reconstruction there so we have to be careful with him.
“I’d have Joe Allen in my team tomorrow, but unfortunately I have to be mindful of where he is in his recovery. He’s still a little bit away.
“He’s not in full training yet with the squad but he is doing some aspects of training and his diligence in terms of his rehab has been phenomenal.
“We have to be patient. We want him back and we want him in our team but we have to be 100 per cent or as close to 100 per cent as possible that he’s ready to come back and play, for Joe’s sake, for our sake and for Wales’s sake as well.
“I understand that he has a significant tournament to be a part of next summer but with an injury like this you can’t rush.”