Wales duo named in squad

04 November 2011 12:16

Captain Aaron Ramsey and winger Gareth Bale will face an interesting reception from Wales' supporters after being named in Gary Speed's squad for the upcoming friendly against Norway in Cardiff.

Arsenal midfielder Ramsey and Tottenham wide man Bale have caused controversy by being pictured in a supporters' jersey for the Great Britain side that will compete at next year's Olympic Games.

The Football Association of Wales, and their Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts, do not want their players to be selected for Stuart Pearce's side, as they fear it may lead to a loss of their individual status with FIFA.

Welsh supporters' groups have voiced their disapproval at the players being used in the promotional images, but Bale and Ramsey have both stated their desire to be involved with Team GB, and the FAW has no legal basis on which to stop them.

Ramsey and Bale have been an integral part of the progress made under Speed, with Wales, who have won three of their last four games, now up to 45th in the FIFA world rankings having been as low as 117th at one stage.

Elsewhere in the 24-man squad there is a recall for Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw, who missed the wins over Switzerland and Bulgaria with a thigh injury.

Aston Villa's James Collins, Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley and Stoke's Danny Collins, who is on loan at Ipswich, are also handed places after being forced to withdraw from the final Euro 2012 qualifiers.

But there is no place for QPR defender Danny Gabbidon as he continues his comeback from a knee injury.

Source: PA