Davies returns from injury to lead Wales in crucial World Cup qualifiers

Liechtenstein vs. Wales World Cup qualifier

Venue: Vaduz’s Rheinpark Stadion on Saturday, November 15 Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Ben Davies, who has missed the past month with an injury, has been named in Wales’ squad for their final group games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia.

The 32-year-old defender from Tottenham Hotspur hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury on October 13 when Belgium defeated him.

However, he makes a Saturday 15 November trip to Liechtenstein, while Wales will host North Macedonia in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Since Aaron Ramsey is sat down for a while, Davies will continue to lead Wales.

In Ramsey’s absence, Davies has taken the starting role, and fit-again Leeds United winger Dan James has joined Craig Bellamy’s 26-man squad.

The 27-year-old opted not to play in the previous month’s squad due to an ankle issue for the friendly encounter with England at Wembley and Belgium’s qualifying match.

Isaak Davies, who replaces him at Cardiff City, leaves the squad, but Cardiff City’s Rubin Colwill takes his place.

As Wales attempt to return to form at the end of their group campaign, Connor Roberts, Connor Roberts, Danny Ward, Wrexham goalkeeper, and Wes Burns are all still out through injury.

With only one more game to go before Wales need to win their remaining games to finish Group J, the 4-2 defeat to Belgium put an end to their automatic qualifying hopes.

In what will be a crucial encounter, Wales travels to Liechtenstein on November 15 to take on second-placed North Macedonia in Cardiff three days later in what promises to be a crucial match.

Liechtenstein are currently ranked 206th in the world in six games, but they have not yet collected a point or a goal. With a goal difference advantage of six, North Macedonia are currently three points ahead of Wales in terms of goals played.

With only three points left to play against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, Belgium are almost certain of being automatically qualified.

Wales’s only chance of finishing second is to win both of their remaining games.

A draw against North Macedonia in Cardiff would also suffice if Liechtenstein were to win by six or more goals.

Wales already has a play-off spot in the Nations League, but it must place second to avoid being among the bottom seeds and having a chance to advance to the semi-finals.

Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), and Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) are the defenders.

Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester City), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), and Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City) are the midfielders.