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Ramsey back in Wales squad after 13-month absence

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Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is to end a 13-month absence from international football.

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Aaron Ramsey provides Wales with plenty of experience © PA

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is to end a 13-month absence from international football.

The 86-times capped Ramsey has been selected in a 26-man squad for the Wembley friendly with England on October 9 and the World Cup qualifier against Belgium in Cardiff four days later.

On Ramsey's recall, head coach Craig Bellamy said: "He's fit. I haven't had that luxury with him.

"When I look back at that first game [against Turkey in September 2024] he was immense. He has the brain. That's never going to go.

"We have legs in and around him that could really benefit from his type of profile. What I've seen is a player fit that still has a lot to offer in the way we play. He's a player I massively admire."

Aaron Ramsey
Image: Ramsey is back in the Wales squad

Ramsey signed for Mexican club Pumas UNAM in the summer and returned from a five-month lay-off in August following hamstring surgery.

The 34-year-old midfielder has built up his fitness by making three starts and three substitute appearances for Pumas over the last month or so.

Wales boss Craig Bellamy welcomes back Ethan Ampadu after injury ruled the influential Leeds midfielder out of last month's 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory in Kazakhstan.

But Burnley full-back Connor Roberts and Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward are unavailable through injury.

Davies set to win 100 Wales caps

Wales' Ben Davies, front, duels for the ball with North Macedonia's Nikola Serafimov during a World Cup 2026 group J qualifying soccer match between North Macedonia and Wales at National Arena Todor Proeski in Skopje, North Macedonia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
Image: Wales' Ben Davies is set to win his 100th cap

Tottenham defender Ben Davies will become the fourth Welshman to win 100 caps should he play against England and Belgium, emulating the achievement of Gareth Bale, Wayne Hennessey and Chris Gunter.

Joel Colwill features after a late call-up last month which saw the Cardiff attacking midfielder make his debut in the friendly defeat to Canada.

Colwill joins Cardiff team-mates Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio in Bellamy's squad.

James' ankle injury 'not expected to keep him out long-term'

Meanwhile, Leeds winger Daniel James has been named in the squad but has an ankle injury which is not expected to keep him out long-term.

After a report emerged suggesting James had suffered a serious knee problem in training, Bellamy said he was only aware of the winger having an ankle issue.

And Leeds have now confirmed that James, who has been called up for Wales' upcoming matches, is being assessed for an ankle injury.

Wales' Dan James
Image: Dan James has an ankle injury

A club spokesperson said: "As Wales manager Craig Bellamy confirmed in his press conference earlier today, Daniel James has an ankle issue which is currently undergoing assessment.

"Any absence is not expected to be long-term and Leeds United manager Daniel Farke will provide a full update during Thursday's press conference."

Bellamy was asked about reports of a serious knee injury for James earlier today.

"That's the first I've heard of a knee injury," Bellamy said. "He has an ankle problem. We'll wait and see, nothing has been confirmed yet so if it's good, brilliant, but if it isn't then we'll adapt. We're just waiting for confirmation. It's still too early so we'll wait and see on that."

Wales hold talks with Moore over international switch

Tottenham Hotspur's Mikey Moore dribbling during a pre-season friendly match
Image: Wales have held talks with Mikey Moore, who has represented England U19s

The Football Association of Wales has also held talks with highly-rated Tottenham winger Mikey Moore, an England U19 cap, about switching international allegiance.

The 18-year-old Londoner, who is on loan at Scottish Premiership club Rangers, qualifies for Wales through a grandparent.

Bellamy said: "I'd prefer it if it wasn't aired, if I'm being honest, it does us no favours. I'm always against pressure from the outside.

"I've spoken to a lot of players we feel would definitely benefit us in the future - we need a big squad, so we're always aware of that.

"We would be naive not to be aware of it."

Wales' trip to Wembley is their first meeting with England since the 2022 World Cup. The Dragons lost that group clash in Qatar 3-0 and have not beaten England since 1984.

Wales sit third in their World Cup group, one point behind North Macedonia and equal on points with Belgium, who have a game in hand.

The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, with Wales almost certainly guaranteed a play-off place due to their Nations League results last year.

Bellamy says it is 'a matter of time' before England win trophy

Thomas Tuchel talks to Morgan Rogers as he prepares to make a triple substitution against Andorra
Image: Wales face Thomas Tuchel's side at Wembley

Bellamy believes it is a "matter of time" before Wembley opponents England win a major trophy again and is surprised they have not already done so.

It can be considered a British battle between David and Goliath, with Thomas Tuchel's England ranked fourth in the world and Wales 30th.

Tuchel was employed by the Football Association with the target to win the World Cup next summer - and Bellamy feels England will soon end a long wait for major silverware that stretches back to 1966.

"I just see it (England) as a top nation," Bellamy said after announcing a 26-man squad that includes the return of Aaron Ramsey following a 13-month absence.

"They got to two finals in a row with the Euros. This is a team that when they go to tournaments they're looking to win it.

"I believe it's only a matter of time. I thought it would have happened before now, but it's still a matter of time. We get the opportunity to go and play a top manager and a top nation."

Wales squad in full...

Karl Darlow (Leeds), Adam Davies (Sheff Utd), Tom King (Everton), Ben Cabango (Swansea), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Ben Davies (Tottenham), R Kpakio (Cardiff), C Mepham (West Brom), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff), Joe Rodon (Leeds), Neco Williams (Nottm Forest), Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Jordan James (Leicester, on loan from Rennes), Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Aaron Ramsey (Pumas UNAM), Joel Colwill (Cardiff), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Sorba Thomas (Stoke), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Liam Cullen (Swansea), Mark Harris (Oxford), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham, on loan from Liverpool), Daniel James (Leeds), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham).

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