Chris Coleman has claimed Joe Ledley could yet make Wales’ opening Euro 2016 match against Slovakia after the manager included the Crystal Palace midfielder in his 23-man squad for the tournament.
Little more than three weeks after breaking his left leg – albeit a hairline fracture of the fibula – Ledley has made the party announced on Tuesday afternoon.
It’s an astonishing comeback for the former Celtic and Cardiff City player who trained alone whilst with the squad in Portugal last week. A few days ago, Coleman suggested Ledley would struggle to make the opening two fixtures.
But on Tuesday he insisted: “Joe Ledley looks very, very good. He trained on the grass, with the medical team, in Portugal, and looked very good.
“His intent is incredible at the minute. Like anybody would, he wants to be a part of it. He’s played a huge part in the campaign – he’s a big part of this team.
“Is he available for Slovakia or that second game? We will assess. It is hard to say he will be ready at this time.
“What we do know with this type of injury is he is ahead of the curve. He is in great shape, that’s a credit to Joe. We think he’s got a good chance of that first game. We will see how he progresses.”
Ledley had been a major doubt for the tournament after suffering the injury playing for Palace against Stoke City on May 7.
But he joins another more recent injury concern, Joe Allen, in the squad, although Coleman expects the Liverpool midfielder to shake off a slight knock picked up during the five-day training camp in Vale De Lobo.
Striker Hal Robson-Kanu also has an Achilles tendon injury, but it is not considered a threat to his fitness for the opening game.
“Joe Allen had a little knock in training and at the minute we’re not in the position where we need to rush or gamble, so we’re taking our time with Joe,” said the Wales manager.
“We expect him to be okay, he’ll be working with the medical team but he’ll be back on the grass pretty soon. So both players are at different stages but we’re looking at both players positively.”
Cardiff City forward Tom Lawrence had been ruled out of the tournament after damaging his ankle ligaments during the training camp in Portugal.
Other players who failed the make the final 23-man squad include Newcastle defender Paul Dummett, Sunderland full-back Adam Matthews, Wigan midfielder Emyr Huws and Preston goalkeeper Chris Maxwell.
Coleman told every player of his fate – goo0d or bad – before they left Portugal base last Sunday.
“Good, bad or indifferent, I would have understood and respected their reaction,” he said. “I certainly didn’t expect any of them to go back out of the room smiling.
“One or two possibly knew what was coming. Perhaps one or two didn’t. But I just had to be honest with them and while they may not have agreed with me, at least they understood where I was coming from and why I made my decision.”
Wales face Sweden in their final warm-up match for the tournament on June 4 before playing Slovakia in their opening Group B game in Bordeaux on June 11.
Coleman’s side then face rivals England in Lens on June 15 before completing their group stage fixtures against Russia in Toulouse on June 20.
Wales squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Daniel Ward, Owain Fon Williams.
Defenders: Ben Davies, James Chester, James Collins, Chris Gunter, Ashley Richards, Neil Taylor, Ashley Williams.
Midfielders: Joe Allen, David Edwards, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, David Vaughan, Jonathon Williams, George Williams.
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Simon Church, David Cotterill, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes.