Coleman names strong Wales squad

10 August 2012 12:47

Wales manager Chris Coleman has included his four Olympians and Tottenham winger Gareth Bale in the squad to face Bosnia-Herzegovina next week.

Liverpool-bound Joe Allen, Neil Taylor, Craig Bellamy and captain Aaron Ramsey all featured in Team GB's run to the Olympic quarter-finals, and they all make the 22-man selection with Coleman desperate to field his strongest side in the final fixture before World Cup qualifying begins next month.

Bale missed the Olympics through injury, as well as Wales' May friendly against Mexico in New York, but has played a part in pre-season for Spurs.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and midfielder David Vaughan miss out through injury. Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw is also omitted but new West Ham signing James Collins is included and will challenge Darcy Blake for the right to partner Ashley Williams.

In Hennessey's absence, Aberdeen's Jason Brown will get another chance to impress in goal after his fine performance in the defeat to Mexico, with Tranmere's uncapped Owain Fon Williams and West Brom's Boaz Myhill the other keepers in the squad.

Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley is also back after injury.

Coleman will be searching for his first win in charge in Llanelli on Wednesday. The former Fulham boss took a background role for the defeat to Costa Rica in the Gary Speed Memorial Match, which was followed by the 2-0 reverse against Mexico.

Wales squad: Jason Brown (Aberdeen), Boaz Myhill (West Bromwich Albion), Owain Fon Williams (Tranmere Rovers); Darcy Blake (Cardiff), James Collins (West Ham), Chris Gunter (Reading), Adam Matthews (Celtic), Sam Ricketts (Bolton), Neil Taylor (Swansea), Ashley Williams (Swansea); Joe Allen (Swansea), Jack Collison (West Ham),

Andrew Crofts (Brighton), David Edwards (Wolves), Joe Ledley (Celtic), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal); Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Simon Church (Reading), Steve Morison (Norwich), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Burnley).

Source: PA