By Gareth James
Wales manager Rob Page insists he will leave it to the last possible moment to decide if Aaron Ramsey will be used against Finland in next week’s crunch Euro 2024 play-off semi-final.
Ramsey was named in Wales’ squad on Wednesday, despite not starting a match for six months.
The 84-times capped captain suffered a knee injury in September and was out until February, making two substitute appearances for Cardiff City before picking up a calf complaint.
But Page named the 33-year-old midfielder in a 28-man squad as Wales seek to qualify for a third successive European Championship and fourth major tournament in five.
Aaron Ramsey is in! 👀
Rob Page has named his #Wales squad for the Euro 2024 play-offs 🏴#BBCFootball #Euros pic.twitter.com/4sRm83QxWx
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 13, 2024
And he will give Ramsey until the night before whether to use him, most likely from off the substitutes’ bench.
“It’s not been ideal for Aaron, he’s had a few setbacks,” said Page.
“Sometimes injuries change from the first instance. They can change overnight, there can be a difference in diagnosis.
“If there’s a chance of having him involved in the squad I’m going to take it and name him.
“The last two camps we’ve had him in and around the squad, even though he’s not been able to play a part. To have someone of his stature in and around the players is beneficial for us.”
🔙 Aaron Ramsey is included in Wales' squad for the #EURO2024 play-offs 🏴 pic.twitter.com/rORGviNcuR
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 13, 2024
Wales host Finland in Cardiff on March 21, with the winners at home against Estonia or Poland five days later to determine a place in Germany.
Former captain Gareth Bale went into the 2022 World Cup with fitness issues hanging over him and struggled to make the impact in Qatar that had been expected of him.
But Page said the inclusion of former Arsenal and Juventus star Ramsey was not a gamble.
“We’ll get him on camp and assess him,” he said. “We’ve already had conversations with him. Our medical team are based in Hensol where Cardiff train — that’s the luxury we’ve had of being in the same vicinity.”
Wales boss Rob Page has named a 28-man squad for Wales' Euro 2024 play-off semi-final with Finland ⚽#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 14, 2024
There are also recalls for Adam Davies, Charlie Savage, Dylan Levitt, Josh Low, Rabbi Matondo, Rubin Colwill and Wes Burns.
Low replaces Tom Lockyer, who played in Wales’s last Euro 2024 qualifier against Turkey in November.
Luton defender Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest in a Premier League game at Bournemouth in December.
Ben Davies, Brennan Johnson and Joe Rodon have all been called up by the Wales National Team ahead of their Euro 2024 play-off with Finland.
Competing in Path A of the fixtures, Wales are set to host the Fins in a semi-final tie on Thursday 21 March (7.45pm (UK) kick-off) for a… pic.twitter.com/7n4gOMdgpb— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) March 13, 2024
Wales squad:
Wales squad: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester), Tom King (Wolves), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Joe Low (Wycombe), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ben Cabango (Swansea), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Connor Roberts (Leeds), Wes Burns (Ipswich), Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Dylan Levitt (Hibernian), Jordan James (Birmingham), Charlie Savage (Reading), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich), Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff), Rabbi Matondo (Rangers), David Brooks (Southampton), Daniel James (Leeds), Liam Cullen (Swansea), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham), Kieffer Moore (Ipswich)