Former Charlton Athletic and Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer has pulled out of the Wales national team’s upcoming matches against South Korea and Latvia owing to an injury.
Wales’ manager Robert Page had brought back the Luton Town skipper into the fold after Lockyer successfully recovered from a heart operation. The defender had experienced a collapse during the Championship play-off final at Wembley in May.
In a similar vein, Leeds United forward Dan James will also be sitting out due to an injury to his abductor muscle.
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo, who had originally been left out of the squad, has now been included. However, no official substitute for Lockyer has been confirmed. Rubin Colwill of Cardiff City and Charlie Crew of Leeds United, both midfielders, have practiced with the main squad but have not been officially added.
Wales will be back in action in a friendly match against South Korea at the Cardiff City Stadium on September 7th, followed by a Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia just four days later.
Robert Page’s initial squad list included newcomers Tom King, Morgan Fox, and Liam Cullen. QPR’s 29-year-old defender Fox is returning to the squad after having previously been selected while playing for Stoke City last season. Similarly, 24-year-old Swansea City striker Cullen is also looking to make strides at the international level.
Midfielder Josh Sheehan is making a return to the squad after a year-long absence. Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Tom King, who played for England at the youth level, is eligible to play for Wales due to his Welsh heritage on his father’s side.
Lockyer was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular and often fast heart rate, as per NHS guidelines. The center-back has been absent from the Wales line-up since September of 2021 but was a part of their squads for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2020.
Lockyer had also earned a spot in the Championship team of the year for the 2022-23 season, helping Luton secure a Premier League spot. Prior to this career milestone, Lockyer had never played in England’s top flight.
Addressing the injury situation, Page said that while James’s injury wasn’t considered “life-threatening,” it does rule him out for the current international break. “We could try and rush his recovery, but that would only make him available for the Latvia game, and even then, not at his best,” Page added.
Wales’ recent performance has been less than inspiring, winning only a single game in their last 12 outings. Losses against Armenia and Turkey in June have significantly hampered their chances of securing a Euro 2024 spot. The team currently sits at the fourth position in a five-team Group D and has been struggling to improve its form.
Despite the recent setbacks, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has decided to continue with Page as the team’s manager, following a performance review after the Armenia and Turkey defeats. Page has taken “full accountability” for the team’s current predicament but is hopeful that improvements will be seen, especially as many of his players will get more game time at their respective clubs.
In other news, Joe Allen will not be making a return to the national team, according to Page.
Possible roster changes in the summer involving team captain Aaron Ramsey, Joe Rodon, and Ethan Ampadu could bring some much-needed improvements to the squad.
Wales Squad: Hennessey, Ward, King, B Davies, Fox, Rodon, Cabango, Mepham, N Williams, Roberts, Burns, Ampadu, Sheehan, J James, Morrell, Wilson, Ramsey, Moore, Broadhead, Johnson, Brooks, Bradshaw, Cullen.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wales national soccer team injuries
What led to Tom Lockyer’s withdrawal from the Wales national soccer team?
Tom Lockyer, the Luton Town captain and defender, withdrew from the Wales national soccer team due to an injury. He was initially recalled by Wales’ manager Robert Page after recovering from heart surgery.
Who else is missing from the Wales squad due to injury?
Leeds United’s forward Dan James is also sidelined due to an abductor muscle injury.
Have any players been added to the squad as replacements?
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo has been added to the Wales squad after initially being left out. However, there has been no official announcement regarding a direct replacement for Tom Lockyer.
What are Wales’ upcoming matches?
Wales is scheduled to play a friendly match against South Korea at the Cardiff City Stadium on September 7th. They will then face Latvia in a Euro 2024 qualifier four days later.
How have recent performances affected Wales’ Euro 2024 qualification chances?
Wales has won only one of their past 12 games, and losses against Armenia and Turkey have severely dented their qualification hopes for Euro 2024. They are currently fourth in a five-team Group D.
What is Robert Page’s take on the current situation?
Robert Page, the manager of the Wales national soccer team, has taken “full responsibility” for the team’s current plight. He is hopeful for an improvement in form and has expressed that the injuries to key players like Dan James are unfortunate but not “too serious.”
Has there been any change in the managerial role for the Wales national team?
Despite the team’s struggling form, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has decided to stick with Robert Page as the team’s manager following a performance review.
Who are some newcomers to look out for in the Wales squad?
Newcomers Tom King, Morgan Fox, and Liam Cullen have been included in Robert Page’s initial squad list for the upcoming matches.
What is the diagnosis of Tom Lockyer’s health condition?
Tom Lockyer was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a condition characterized by an irregular and often fast heart rate, as per NHS guidelines.
Are there any confirmed summer moves that could impact the Wales squad?
There are no confirmed summer moves as of now, but possible changes involving Aaron Ramsey, Joe Rodon, and Ethan Ampadu could bring some much-needed improvements to the squad.
More about Wales national soccer team injuries
- Wales National Team’s Official Website
- Euro 2024 Qualification Standings
- [Latest Injury Updates in Soccer](https://www.s
