Joe Allen comes out of international retirement for Wales and could add to his tally of 74 international caps.
Joe Allen will rejoin the Wales team for this month’s Nations League double header against Montenegro and Iceland, having retired from international play. On Wednesday morning, Craig Bellamy will declare his squad.
A few months after the 2022 World Cup, the 34-year-old Swansea midfield player announced his retirement from Wales duty. Gareth Bale, the former captain, and Chris Gunter, the defender, both completely retired.
The need to find options in midfield was increased by the injuries to Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu, the captain of Wales, and Bellamy, the manager, persuaded Allen to make a comeback. With 74 caps, Allen has played for Wales in three major competitions. In 2016, he made it all the way to the Euro semifinals.
Leeds captain Ampadu might miss up to four months due to a knee injury. Ramsey is out with a hamstring injury. Jordan James, a midfielder for Wales, just joined Rennes from Birmingham. Josh Sheehan of Bolton, Charlie Savage of Reading, and Allen’s teammate Oli Cooper complete the group.
Luke Williams, the head coach of Swansea, stated last week that Allen was looking forward to playing for Wales again. Bellamy met with Williams and Allen last month to discuss a possible comeback. With a fun draw against Turkey and a win in Montenegro last month, the Bellamy era got underway. In July, Bellamy succeeded Rob Page, his former teammate from Wales.
Discussing Allen’s possible Wales comeback before Ampadu’s injury, Williams said. “I don’t think this is a distraction for him, but is a welcome change of scenery and chance to be reinvigorated. I don’t think Craig is really thinking that Joe’s going to have to play two games for 90 minutes during the international break.”
Rhys Norrington-Davies, a defender for Sheffield United, has been back in the squad after missing more than two years. David Brooks, the attacker for Bournemouth, and Nathan Broadhead and Wes Burns of Ipswich make their comebacks after missing the Nations League opener.