Wales take on the USA tonight at the Liberty at a time when minds are elsewhere in remembrance of those we have lost and the national Covid picture continues to be of huge concern. Tonight’s game may be of little consequence to many football supporters, but at least it gives us an opportunity to stay indoors and be safe whilst watching the national side.
Numerous international friendlies take place this evening And we will focus on them all on our football forum later.
The Wales select side will be named later after last minute assessments and decisions are made by Robert Page who continues to stay in touch with Ryan Giggs. Giggs who has been asked to stay away from the next three matches due to being on bail for assault. Page remained professional in the light of odd comments from Spurs boss Jose Mourinho. Page said ‘Albert's been involved with the Welsh set-up for a couple of years and there's never been any problems. "So I've no response to that at all. We'll go about our business to get the players into the best possible shape for games." Asked if he'd spoken to Mourinho about an agreed plan of action for the 31-year old, Page replied: "No. There's a plan we have with Gareth. It's no different to any other player. "We've got a medical team around us that are the best in the country’ Continuing to remain professional Page started I can empathise with what he's saying," he added. "I've been a club manager myself, albeit I didn't have many going for international duty. "But we're borrowing one of his players to play for Wales. Of course we're going to look after him.
Wales find themselves in a good place with a run of results at last matching the expectations of the country and Page agrees ‘With regards to the squad in the camp, nothing changes. We're in such a good place at the minute with regards to coming into these last two qualifers. So, if it's not broke then don't fix it. There's momentum coinmg into this camp and it's important that against the USA we keep that momentum going. "That will set us up nicely then for two tough qualifiers. We know the rewards are there at the end of it. What I meant by that was that this is sill Ryan's squad, and we're just overseeing things on camp as best as we see fit. "Ryan will have access to the games, of course he will, like any of us. But I think it's important that while we're there are the game that we just focus on the game. There's enough experience there with the coaching staff to get through these three games. "If we need some input, or a conversation about something he'll know, then he's still just a phone call away".
Wales Training yesterday
The Wales squad training with smiles on their faces. Great to see.
Captain Gunter
"We have a real good routine here and in terms of the running order of a camp. That's been the exact same, so things like that have been completely normal. "I think Pagey since he joined the squad, he's had a really big impression on a lot of people. He holds a very respect level from all the players in the squad and he's been brilliant this week in terms of the message he's been delivering. "We have three important games, and we've got to make sure that when the whistle blows on that first game that we're fully prepared for it."
Chris was also asked about 100 caps -When I got into the 90s it was being asked and until it happens, if and when it does, that will be the case. "Again, without sounding boring that's a typical footballer's reply. It's the same one I've given over many years. "It would be fantastic, but there's no way you can go into a game against a very good team on Thursday and think about anything other than your performance."
On not playing for Reading - Obviously, it's your job. You're training all week and you want to train on the weekends. It's the part everybody sees and it's the main part of what you want to do. "Over the last couple of years, it wasn't always the case. It's one of those things that you have to deal with. Otherwise life wouldn't be great. You wake up every day going into training on the basis that you want to in the team on a Saturday. "You're never going to go through your career playing every game. It's important to find that balance. If there's one thing you know in football it's that it's never the same. There can be many ups and downs."
Team news and more information later on these very pages.