Wales wait for news on unlucky Allen
INTERIM Wales boss Rob Page says it’s too early to tell the extent of Joe Allen’s latest agonising injury setback, and admits he can’t rule out the possibility of calling up another player ahead of the upcoming games with Mexico and the Czech Republic.
Allen was named in the Wales starting lineup for the first time in nearly two years out in Leuven, but was forced to withdraw after just seven minutes.
Wales still managed to take the lead through a stunning strike from Harry Wilson, but ultimately slumped a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the world’s number one side, although Page insists there were plenty of positives to take from the encounter.
“They’re number one in the world for a reason,” he said. “We know they can score goals as they proved tonight. We knew we could hurt them. We’ve got pace and quality in the team. We could score goals as well. We knew that coming into it.
“I thought the goal we scored was fantastic. I thought we got off to the perfect start. But when you give quality teams like this half a chance, inevitably it’s going to end up in the back of the net. Unfortunately for Connor Roberts, he slips on the second one, and we addressed a couple of things at half-time from a tactical point of view. The centre-halves were a little bit higher in the press, which helped our midfielders out.
“We lost Joe Allen early on in the game. Joe Morrell had to come and give a fantastic account of himself considering he’s not playing at club level.
“We made that change at half-time and we were better for it.”
Allen’s latest injury will be considered a devastating blow, with Page unable to confirm the extent of the problem when quizzed shortly after the game.
“He’s with the physios at the minute and they’re assessing him,” he added. “We’ll get them all back home and we’ll assess all the players again. Then we’ll have an idea where we’re at with it.”
“It seems to be behind the back of his knee. The top of his calf, maybe the bottom of his hamstring. So we’re not quite sure yet.
“But he’s with medical team now.”
With Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer already pulling out of the squad due to injury problems of their own, losing Allen would further shorten Page’s options ahead of what is now a crucial qualifier with the Czech Republic, who are likely to be their main rivals for second place in Group E, next week.
And he admits there is a possibility that another body or two could be brought in to help ease the selection burden.
Plenty of fans in the capital have already suggested that Will Vaulks deserves a place in this squad given his form for Cardiff City, and he would certainly be a decent fit should Page be on the lookout for a Joe Allen replacement.
“We’ll have a look at it again,” he said when asked if there was a temptation to add to this squad.
“We need to get everybody back. I need a meeting with the medical team. We’ll assess everybody and make the decisions from there.” the