Home > Sport > Football > Wales without Ramsey for Iceland friendly clash

Wales without Ramsey for Iceland friendly clash

Wales hopes the loss won't keep them from a win in March. Image: Wonker

Wales hopes the loss won’t keep them from a win in March. Image: Wonker

Wales will be without Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey for their friendly against Iceland on March 5th.

Ramsey is still to recover from a thigh injury which has seen him side-lined since before Christmas and has curtailed his best season for the club.

The world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale, who has scored 12 goals in 24 games since his summer move to Real Madrid, is included in the 23-man squad.

The friendly will represent the first match in Wales’ build-up to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, which begins away to Andorra on September 9.

The qualifying draw was made on Saturday and has been favourable to Wales, who will also play Bosnia-Hercegovina, Belgium, Israel and Cyprus.

Wales also faced Belgium in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, and Marc Wilmot’s men will go into the group as clear favourites finish in top spot.

Wales’ World Cup qualifying campaign was bookended by a 2-0 home defeat and a promising 1-1 draw against the Belgians, who they face away on November 16 and at home on June 12.

With UEFA having changed the format of the championships Wales will feel they have a good chance of reaching their first major International tournament since John Charles led them to the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

You may also like
What’s occurring? Things to do on St David’s Day
Bale’s esports team launches Fifa eWorld Cup campaign
Bale, Ramsey fit for crunch clash with Hungary – Giggs
Youthful, attacking display sign of things to come for Giggs’ Wales