Ledley out of Wales squad

29 August 2012 13:47

Joe Ledley will miss Wales' opening World Cup qualifiers with Belgium and Serbia through injury, but there is a place for West Ham defender James Collins.

Ledley picked up a groin problem in Celtic's Champions League qualifying win over Helsingborg last weekend and will miss the clashes in Cardiff and Novi Sad.

He joins Sunderland's David Vaughan on the sidelines with uncapped Crystal Palace midfielder Jonathan Williams and Leicester's Andy King coming into the 23-man panel.

But West Ham defender Collins is selected despite having to manage a groin problem.

Collins has not played for his country since the Euro 2012 qualifier against England in March 2011 and withdrew from the squad for the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina earlier this month.

Wales boss Chris Coleman said his absence was down to a suspected hernia, which could have required surgery.

Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is again absent and is set to miss Wales' first four qualifiers as he continues to recover from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

But the key quartet of Gareth Bale, skipper Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Craig Bellamy are all fit and available to kick off the campaign.

Coleman has yet to taste victory, or see his side score a goal, since succeeding Gary Speed in January.

And final preparations for the campaign ended with a dispiriting 2-0 defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina two weeks ago.

Source: PA