SQUAD CLOCK ON TO BEAT JETLAG

WALES players stayed awake until as late as four o’clock in the morning during their China Cup campaign in a bid to ensure they were fresh for their returns to club action.

Ryan Giggs’ side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in the final of the competition in Monday before beginning the long journey back to Heathrow Airport via Hong Kong.

And defender James Chester revealed in the aftermath of the loss to the south Americans that the Welsh squad altered their sleeping and eating routines during their time in China.

“That was the plan,” said Chester.

“It’s been a bit strange staying up till half-three, four in the morning, having your breakfast at one.

“But it was for that reason, to make sure when we get home it’s not as difficult to get back to normal life, because some of us have some massive games coming up.

“It was a very, very long time ago when I last stayed up that late and it certainly won’t be a regular thing. It has been strange, but it international bows during the course of the competition. And he could well give others their first taste of life in the red of Wales in the next fixture against Mexico in May. Backroom staff GIGGS confirmed his backroom staff when announcing his squad for the China Cup, and it certainly contains an intriguing blend of new and old.

Among those to remain in the set-up are Osian Roberts, who has been with the FAW since the late Gary Speed’s tenure, while goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts has also stayed on.

But Giggs has also chosen to put his faith in those who served him so well during his lengthy career at Old will make it a lot easier getting back.”

Chester is set to feature for promotion chasing Aston Villa when Steve Bruce’s men take on Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday evening.

The central defender started both of Wales’ matches against China and Uruguay in Nanning as Wales’ missed out on silverware in Giggs’ first camp as Wales boss.

And the 29-year-old admits that Wales won’t come up against much tougher opposition than Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay in the future.

“They are probably one of the best you’re going to come up against,” he added.

“If you qualify for top tournaments that’s the standard.

“The gaffer was pleased after the game. They are top quality.

“We’ve done a lot of work in a short space of time. It’s one of the best attacks you’re going to face in world football.

“But from the moment I started international football, it was for that reason. Hopefully there is more of that to come.” Trafford. His new right-hand man is Dutchman Albert Stuivenberg, the man who – along with Giggs – assisted Louis van Gaal during his two-year spell with the Red Devils.

And, along with Stuivenberg, Tony Strudwick has been brought in as the FAW’s new head of performance following the departure of previous fitness guru Dr Ryland Morgans to Everton midway through the 2017-18 campaign. There had been murmurs that another member of the Class of ‘92 would be included in Giggs’ backroom staff, but that was something the Welshman denied, although he did reveal that he landed his “number-one targets” when it came to selecting his backroom team. Media FORMER boss Chris Coleman regularly held his press conferences at the Vale Resort, the same venue at which Warren Gatland is regularly put in front of the cameras with the Welsh rugby team.

But there has been a real emphasis in showcasing some of Wales’ best attractions when it comes to Giggs’ press conferences.

His unveiling was held at the plush Hensol Castle, while his squad announcement was at the rather unusual setting of St Fagans National Museum of History – with the location of the conference being kept secret until the week of the event itself.

And given the gravitas that Giggs possesses following a glittering career with Manchester United, it could well be that the Welsh media attending press conferences during the 13-time Premier League winner’s tenure rekindle themselves with more attractions from years gone by. Formation THERE was a real excitement surrounding Giggs’ first ever squad announcement, and those levels were increased even further when the 44-year-old confirmed his starting lineup for his first match in