Sean Dyche remains concerned his new wing back Connor Roberts will be overused by the far less experienced Robert Page over the two Wales internationals in Prague and Tallinn in the coming week. So much so he has reiterated the advice Burnley as a club have given the FAW to the press in the run up to the Czech Republic game.
Connor Roberts suffered a bad groin injury during the Euros against Denmark, so much so it would signal the end of his long association with his boyhood club Swansea City. During convalescence it became very clear that despite the fact he was injured, premier league clubs were extremely keen to assess the injury pending a potential transfer. Surprisingly for all swans watchers Burnley were the club not only to be the most interested, they were happy to sign him when in recovery from the groin operation he had in early July. And it happened quickly.
Taking over Roberts rehabilitation Burnley gently introduced him to the club with specific training plans and the latest recovery treatment after such a bad injury. To that extent Roberts hasn’t seen any first team action for his new club. In fact a forty five minute run out for the under 23 side is the most he has had. Bearing in mind he only made his debut for the swans in 2018, eventually making 133 appearances scoring a very decent 11 goals his popularity at his hometown club is only rivalled by Joe Rodon in recent times. Both products of the much admired Swansea City development route.
However, Dyche is clear, very clear talking to Lancs press he said "Connor is going away with Wales. But we've made it clear to them he's hardly played - he's played 45 minutes so he's a bit behind the curve. He's generally fit, very fit actually, the way he is as a lad. "Collo got a game in the under twenty three, which is good, all we can hope is that he'll come back fit and well” It’s a strange decision, and maybe as much pushed by Roberts himself to join up with Wales, who clearly loves paying for his country. It is certain had it been left solely to Burnley he would not have been made available.
Roberts provides many solutions for Page, if fit
To add to that Robert Page goes in to the next two crucial World Cup qualification games with question marks not only over Roberts but Aaron Ramsey as well. If he is pushed in to a selection dilemma the concern for Burnley is he will be overused and return to Lancashire injured. Wales need to not lose both of these games and preferably put the Czech Republic under pressure by snatching a win. If that did happen any positive result in Tallinn on Monday against Estonia would be more than acceptable.
Should Connor Roberts feature for Wales in these two important qualifiers ?