Williams gets call for Qatar

SWINDON Town midfielder Jonny Williams has been named in Wales’ 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

The 29-year-old is the fourth player in the club’s history to go to a World Cup after the late Alan McLoughlin (Republic of Ireland, 1990), Jan Age Fjørtoft (Norway, 1994) and Massimo Luongo (Australia, 2014).

With group games against the United States, Iran and England for the Welsh, Williams will be away from Swindon until the beginning of December at the earliest.

He will be joined in Qatar by a handful of Wales players with West Country connections.

Luton’s former Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer has been named in Rob Page’s squad, while Bristol City old boy Joe Morrell (Portsmouth) and ex-Yeovil and Forest Green forward Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth) are also included.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and defenders Connor Roberts and Joe Rodon are also in the 26, having had loan spells in the West earlier in their careers.

There is no place for Bristol Rovers front man Aaron Collins, whose name had been suggested for inclusion following a fine spell of form. Page’s travelling party does not contain any uncapped players.