Uncapped youngsters heading for Serbia
UNCAPPED quintet Ben Woodburn, Joe Walsh, Tom Lockyer, Gethin Jones and Lee Evans have all been retained in the Wales squad to travel to Serbia for Sunday’s crucial World Cup qualifying game.
Welsh boss Chris Coleman has trimmed his initial training squad down to 23 names, with the five uncapped youngsters joining established names like Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and skipper Ashley Williams on the plane.
Real Madrid’s Champions League winning star Gareth Bale and Aston Villa defender Neil Taylor are suspended for the clash after picking up cards in Wales’ goalless draw against Republic of Ireland in March
Marley Watkins, who has recently joined Norwich City, has been dropped from the squad, along with Cardiff City full back Declan John and Exeter City starlet Ethan Ampadu.
Liverpool youngster Woodburn joins teammate Harry Wilson in the squad, while defenders Lockyer, Jones and Walsh bolster Coleman’s options at the back.
Wolves star Evans is one of seven midfielders in the 23.
Wales are four points behind group leaders Serbia and Ireland and need a win to boost their hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
There are five qualifying games remaining, with Wales facing visits to Moldova and Georgia before home clashes with Austria and Ireland after the trip to Belgrade.