Craig Bellamy, the Wales head coach, has expressed caution towards a potential return for Joe Allen against Montenegro, describing it as a “gamble”. Allen, a seasoned midfielder with 74 international caps, recently came out of retirement from the national team. However, he has been plagued by fitness concerns and has seen limited playing time, only making cameo appearances off the bench for Swansea since April 1.
During Friday’s Nations League match against Iceland, Wales faced a setback in their central midfield options as Jordan James received a second booking, resulting in a one-match ban. With key players like Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu sidelined due to injuries, Bellamy is facing a shortage in midfield personnel.
Bellamy acknowledged that starting Allen in such a crucial match would indeed be a risk due to his lack of playing time this season. Despite this, he praised Allen’s positive attitude in training and his invaluable experience, hinting at a possible role for him in the upcoming game. Bellamy highlighted the importance of having players like Allen, who have made significant contributions to the national team over the years, and expressed his desire for a “fairytale ending” for such individuals.
In the absence of some key players, Josh Sheehan is likely to be given the nod over Allen to start in midfield. Sheehan, who plays for League One side Bolton, adds to the challenge faced by Wales in the midfield area. Bellamy admitted that the team lacks depth in midfield, a problem he has been addressing since taking over as head coach in July.
With Brennan Johnson suspended and unavailable for selection, Bellamy is optimistic about the team’s performance, having shown resilience in recent matches. Despite the challenges, Wales managed to secure a victory against Montenegro last month and were in a commanding position against Iceland before the match ended in a draw. Bellamy emphasised the importance of good habits and consistency for the team to progress further.
As Wales prepares to face Montenegro, Bellamy remains focused on utilising the available resources effectively and is keen to see how other players step up in critical positions. The coach’s emphasis on building a cohesive and resilient team bodes well for Wales as they navigate through a challenging phase in their campaign.