Ledley may miss Wales v Ireland

JOE Ledley could miss Wales’ World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland if his pregnant wife Ruby goes into labour before the Dublin clash.

The prospect of former Celtic midfielder Ledley missing the game has been raised by his Crystal Palace teammate Wayne Hennessey, who was speaking to the media little more than 48 hours before the Group D clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Ruby is due to give birth to the couple’s third child a few days after Wales take on group leaders the Republic.

But Hennessey says Ledley is on tenterhooks as the due date and Ireland game draws nearer, and that his best friend has even had a member of the Wales staff take his mobile phone out to the training ground this week. “Ruby is expecting two or three days after the game, so Joe is hoping he doesn’t get the call until the day after,” Hennessey said.

“Let’s hope she doesn’t drop before the game. I would be lost without him!”

Hennessey will win his 67th cap in Dublin and he is expecting a sell-out 51,700-Aviva crowd to create an intense atmosphere.

The Republic are currently four points clear of third-placed Wales and two ahead of Serbia.

“It will be a hostile game in terms of the crowd,” Hennessey said. “But on the field and off the field, the Euros really prepared us for games like this. It’s difficult opposition but we know what they’re all like. We know all about their players and their style of play.”