WALES v CROATIA GIGGS: IT’S WAIT AND RAMSEY Boss Ryan in a sweat over Juve star’s battle to be fit
RYAN GIGGS is desperate to unleash a bit of Welsh R‘n’B on Croatia tonight.
The Wales boss is desperate for star men Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale to line up together for the first time in a Euro 2020 qualifier.
But while Real Madrid ace Bale is fit and primed to lead Wales into their crunch clash, Juventus midfielder Ramsey remains a major doubt with a thigh strain.
The ex-Arsenal man did not travel to Slovakia to play in Thursday’s 1-1 draw in order to have round-the-clock treatment in a bid to be fit for the Cardiff City Stadium showdown.
Despite that intense personal rehabilitation, Ramsey is still struggling to prove he is ready for competitive action, according to Giggs, who said: “Of course, it’s frustrating. Aaron has yet to play in any of the qualifiers under me – and you always want your best players out there.
“But that’s why when I took over I wanted strength in depth to handle these situations. And we’ve also got players who’ve come in and done a job in that position.”
Not that Giggs has completely abandoned hope that Ramsey, 28, makes a miraculous recovery.
The influential playmaker, who again trained separately yesterday, will be given a fitness test later today. On the eve of the visit of the 2018 World Cup runners- up, Giggs went on: “We’ve not ruled Aaron out yet. He’s on a different schedule.
“He stayed back with the physio this week. We’re just giving him all the time we can. We’ve still got over 24 hours, so we’ll re-assess and see how he is in the morning.”
Those are not the only selection dilemmas facing Giggsy. With barely 48 hours to reboot and recharge the batteries, he admits he may be forced to ring some changes.
Wigan striker Kieffer Moore, who scored the opener in Slovakia, took a blow to the head and Giggs will once again delay any decision on him.
Giggs said: “Kieffer, who I thought was a real handful on Thursday, was in the wars a bit. Like the rest, we will assess him. But his head his fine.
“We want continuity but recognise we might have to freshen up a bit.”
Group F leaders Croatia are favourites to finish top but Giggs is quietly confident his Dragons, fourth and six points adrift, can spring a shock.
“Obviously, what they have done in recent times has been amazing – as well as the talent they have,” added Giggs. “Against most countries, they would be favourites because they have very special players. But we are at home and have a good record there – that advantage balances it out.
“And, of course, we have very good players ourselves.”