By Gareth James
Wales pair Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham have been warned to put their club loyalties ahead of any personal ambitions by Bounemouth manager Gary O’Neil.
The blunt demand comes after both players were left out of the Cherries squad for their recent 2-1 weekend victory over Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.
Moore and Mepham both played in Wales’ impressive 1-1 draw in Croatia 11 days ago, before guiding their country to a follow-up 1-0 victory over Latvia in their second Euro 2024 qualifier.
What a header that is! 💥@afcbournemouth's Kieffer Moore puts Wales in front against Latvia 🏴
Gareth Bale enjoyed that one in the stands 🙌#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/009ytKVlU8
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 28, 2023
Striker Moore scored the only goal in the second game with a superb header.
But if they expected a pat on the back and a double thumbs-up from their head coach after returning from the international break, then they were left sorely disappointed.
Something in the pair’s demeanour or attitude must have irritated O’Neil and he left both players out his squad entirely for their rousing and invaluable comeback victory, which was capped by a winning goal from Dominic Solanke.
“You have a choice as a footballer whether you stay with the group or whether you decide that your own agenda is what you want to do and is more important,” said O’Neill.
“You have a choice as a footballer for how you want to handle things. We have a huge squad full of senior players at this moment, everyone’s fit, so we are going to have to disappoint some. I’m pretty sure it won’t be the same ones all the time.”
Kieffer Moore and @c_meps are in from the off for Wales 🏴 https://t.co/xvr9auggNo
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) March 28, 2023
The Cherries, who climbed out of the relegation zone with victory over Fulham, return to Premier League action on Tuesday night, welcoming Brighton & Hove Albion to the Vitality Stadium.
Moore has only made 12 league starts for Bournemouth this season, with a further nine appearances off the bench.
Kieffer Moore’s goalscoring record at international level is incredible. Yes, a solid performer at club level, but even more impressive for Cymru.
10 goals in 33 games – Euro & World Cup qualifiers, Nations League, and the Euros – Belgium & Switzerland too. #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/LOkYYm7k5W
— Harri Burton (@Harri_Burton) March 28, 2023
Mepham has started more regularly, with 19 appearances in the line-up, and two more games as substitute.
But neither player was in the squad for the Fulham match, a week after playing crucial roles in Wales’ excellent start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
CHERRIES pair Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham started in Wales’ opening 1-1 draw with Croatia in their UEFA European Championship qualifying campaign. https://t.co/FMlCmu4D1H
— Bournemouth Echo Sport (@BmthEchoSport) March 26, 2023