It is Giggs’ squad, says Page ahead of triple-header

WALES caretaker-manager Robert Page insisted it is Ryan Giggs’ squad ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.

Wales will take on the United States in a friendly tomorrow, before Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and Finland on November 18.

Page has taken charge for the upcoming games after manager Giggs was arrested and later bailed over an alleged row at his Manchester home.

A statement released on behalf of Giggs said he denied “all allegations of assault made against him”.

When asked whether it would be business as usual with Wales, Page said: “Absolutely, nothing changes.

“It’s Ryan’s team, it’s Ryan’s squad and it’s about us finishing off the job that he started.

“We have three tough games. The first one is important because we want to keep that momentum going into the first two qualifiers, but also, planning for Thursday, we have to have an eye on the two qualifying games after that.

“Like I said, the importance of it from a business point of view and from the players is going to be great to be involved in.”

Page will be without Aaron Ramsey after the Juventus midfielder sustained a thigh injury, which will be assessed further in 10 days time, and Ben Cabango, who picked up an injury at the weekend.

But Gareth Bale, who was pictured with an ice pack on his ankle after being substituted for Tottenham at West Brom on Sunday, trained with the squad yesterday.

“I knew about Aaron early doors,” said Page. “I was watching it unfold and saw he went off with an injury.

“We got the results of the scan and obviously it wasn’t good news.

“We’ve got good strength in depth again now and we’ve got a big squad to pick from.

“Then you wait for the weekend and hear the news about Ben Cabango, which having worked with Ben before with the intermediates, he’s done ever so well at Swansea and I think he’s going to go from strength to strength.

“It’s disappointing not to have people like Ben in the squad, but that’s the industry we’re in, you have to take the rough with the smooth.”

On whether it was an anxious few days over the weekend with more injury concerns, Page said: “Yeah, it always is, thinking back to when I was in charge of the under21s as well.

“All the lads in your squad that are playing senior football, you do hold your breath and you want them to get through unscathed so you’ve got a full strength squad.

“No different from whatever group you’ve got really, and certainly no different from this group.”