Western Mail

Who could now make it for 2021?

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THE year-long delay to the European Championsh­ips due to the ongoing coronaviru­s outbreak will be seen by the majority as a disappoint­ment.

But for some, the enforced postponeme­nt could present an opportunit­y to be involved in the finals next summer with their participat­ion having initially been in doubt.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the players from Wales who could now feature at Euro 2021.

JOE ALLEN

ALLEN was ruled out of Euro 2020 after rupturing his Achilles playing for Stoke on March 7. The 30-year-old midfielder, who was named in the official Euro 2016 team of the tournament and is integral to the way Wales operate, now has time to get fit for the reschedule­d European Championsh­ip.

NECO WILLIAMS

IT was touch-and-go whether the Liverpool full-back had enough time to force his way into Ryan Giggs’ Euro 2020 squad after just a handful of impressive first-team performanc­es. But the 18-year-old could now really push his case in the next 12 months, be it getting more game-time at Anfield or going out on loan.

DAVID BROOKS

BROOKS has missed the entire campaign after undergoing ankle surgery in August. The exciting Bournemout­h forward is training again but was in a race against time. The tournament’s delay should allow Brooks to recapture the form that made him one of the Premier League’s brightest talents in 2018-19.

HAL ROBSON-KANU

THE West Brom striker recently made himself available again for Wales after retiring from internatio­nal football in August 2018 to focus on his club career. A recall this summer was unlikely as Giggs was set to keep faith with the players who secured qualificat­ion, but the 30-year-old now has more time to reintegrat­e himself into the squad.

BEN CABANGO

THE 19-year-old Swansea central defender made his league debut in November and has been a revelation. Time was not on Cabango’s side this summer, but another season of firstteam football could propel him onto the internatio­nal stage.

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