Jephcott ignored by Wales boss Giggs
PLYMOUTH Argyle striker Luke Jephcott has missed out on a first senior Wales international call-up.
The 21-year-old has not been selected by Wales boss Ryan Giggs for the country’s first two 2022 World Cup qualifiers later this month, plus an international friendly.
Aberystwyth-born Jephcott has netted 18 times for the Pilgrims this season, which led to speculation he could get a senior Wales call-up.
However, Jephcott is currently on a run of nine games without a goal, most recently in the 1-0 defeat away to Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Wales will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign with the toughest task possible.
They will be away to Belgium, who are ranked number one in the FIFA world rankings, in Leuven on Wednesday, March 24.
Wales will then play Mexico on Saturday, March 27 in an international friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium. The same venue will see the Welsh take on the Czech Republic in their second World Cup qualifier on March 30.
Capped three times by Wales under-21s, Jephcott’s chances of making the Welsh squad for the delayed Euro 2020 finals later this summer now appear to be slim.
Wales are in Group A at that tournament with Italy, Turkey and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Lee Bowyer has resigned as Charlton Athletic manager after being heavily linked with his former club Birmingham City.
With speculation swirling over the future of Blues boss Aitor Karanka due to ongoing poor form in the Championship, Charlton announced Bowyer had stepped down from his position.
Bowyer left The Valley with the best wishes of Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard, and said it had been a difficult decision to leave the club where he began both his playing and managerial careers.
“Everyone knows how I feel about the club,” he said in a statement. “I could have gone before but I felt it was the right thing to do to stay and help the club through the tough times we’ve been through.
“We had some amazing times and some tough times. It has been emotional leaving. I’d like to thank all the players that I’ve worked with and the staff for the hours and hours of hard work that they did. I also want to thank the supporters. We wouldn’t have had those great memories without them.
“The club is now in a place with a good owner that cares and wants to improve the place and I hope the club can continue to grow. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”