KIDS ARE ALRIGHT AS PAGE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
ROB PAGE is taking two teenage rookies to Qatar on standby to prepare for life when Wales’s old guard finally stand down.
Boss Page has chosen Fulham’s Luke Harris, 17, and Birmingham’s Jordan James, 18, for the Welsh squad. He is mindful that Qatar could be the last tournament for Gareth Bale, Wayne Hennessey, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Chris Gunter, who are all in their 30s.
Page wants uncapped starlets Harris and James to familiarise themselves with camp culture after giving the pair their first call-ups in September.
“They are going to be in the 26 so we can see how they can conduct themselves off the pitch, which is massive for us moving forward,” said Page.
“We brought them into the last camp and were really impressed. It is important to have one eye on the future. I want to expose Luke and JJ to the environment and get them training with us on and off the pitch.
“In the future, whenever the senior boys decide when they don’t want to play for Wales any more, then it won’t be too much of a culture shock. They will have seen how we work and the change won’t be as severe. What I don’t want is eight players to change and for the environment to completely change.
“If Gareth can have a massive influence for however long he wants to continue playing, then brilliant. But this lends itself to the transition with the younger players coming in.
“That is really important so we are not losing the environment.
“They are going to train with us every day.
“We will do some analysis with them in the afternoon and show them how we play and what I expect from them.
“They will eat with the players and go to the games. They won’t play in the matches but will go to games and be exposed to the environment of a major tournament, which I think is valuable.
“We enjoy qualifying for major tournaments and we want to continue.”
Midfielder Harris has made two appearances as a substitute for Fulham in the Premier League this season while Birmingham midfielder James has made 16 appearances in the Championship.
They could be eligible to play in Qatar if Page has any injuries before their opening game on Monday week against USA. The Welsh coach (above) added: “We have until the USA game and that is the cut-off, after that you have got to go with what you have.”
Wales are 11-2 to finish top of their group (which also includes England and Iran). They are evens to qualify for the knockout stages. Page’s men can be backed at 11-2 to reach the quarter-finals and 16-1 to make it to the semis, as they did at Euro 2016.
They are 2-1 to get their campaign off to a flyer by beating USA in their opening match.