Chris Coleman has described Wales as being in “pretty good condition” after avoiding the injury problems that have beset World Cup rivals the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland have had to contend with a catalogue of injuries ahead of Friday’s crunch Group D qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Striker Daryl Murphy has become the latest casualty in joining injured quartet Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Wes Hoolahan and Harry Arter, as well as the suspended Robbie Brady, on the sidelines.
Wales lost in-form Ipswich Town frontman Tom Lawrence to a hip injury on Monday with his place taken by Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson.
Every member of Coleman’s 23-man squad trained yesterday, including Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn.
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The 17-year-old striker joined the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey at their Vale of Glamorgan base for the first time, and third-placed Wales appear in good health as they attempt to close the four-point gap on group leaders Ireland.
“We are a very good team when we’re at our best,” manager Coleman said.
“We need these players on the pitch consistently and we’re in pretty good condition. The squad might have looked different two or three months ago.
“But we’ve got players back, and I’ve picked those who have been on the front foot and are most ready for this challenge.”
Bale has already scored four times in this World Cup campaign to move within two of equalling Ian Rush’s 28-goal national record.
The Real Madrid forward’s recent comeback from ankle surgery is a huge boost for Wales, as is Arsenal midfielder Ramsey’s return from a calf strain.
Ramsey was arguably Wales’ best player in their march to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 last summer. But his World Cup contribution has been minimal with injury ruling him out of the opening three qualifiers.
“In these first four games we’ve only had Aaron in one of them,” Coleman said.
“That’s tough for us. And we’ve only had Joe Allen for two and a bit as well.”
This is Wales’ first game since Coleman turned down overtures to take over his hometown club Swansea City at the turn of the year.
Cardiff City defender Jazz Richards said that decision came as a huge boost to the players.
“Chris is a very strong part of how well we’ve done over the past few years,” Richards said.
“Ireland are tough opponents, but we’ve beaten the best teams in the world before.”
Lukas Podolski to captain Germany on 130th and final appearance
DORTMUND // Lukas Podolski will lead injury-hit Germany on his farewell international appearance in today’s friendly against England, manager Joachim Low confirmed.
Podolski, 31, will make his 130th and final appearance by wearing the captain’s armband against Gareth Southgate’s team.
“It’s sensational. You can’t ask for more,” said Podolski, who will join Japan’s Vissel Kobe next season, upon hearing he will captain his country on his farewell. He made his international debut in 2004.
“My final appearance will be a lovely, but also a sad, moment for me.
“I’m pleased I will get a chance to say goodbye to the fans.”
However, world champions Germany are missing a host of first-choice players.
“As well as our captain Manuel Neuer, Mario Gomez, Mesut Ozil and Julian Draxler are also injured,” Low said.
With both attacking midfielders Draxler of Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal’s Ozil out, Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos is most likely to fill the role.
And with Gomez, 31, missing, RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, 21, is set to make his international debut having hit 14 goals in the Bundesliga so far this season.
In the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Neuer, who has a calf injury, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, PSG’s Kevin Trapp and Bayer Leverkusen’s Bernd Leno will be vying to start between the posts.
Low is already without injured defender Jerome Boateng and winger Marco Reus. World Cup winner Mario Gotze is sidelined until next season with a metabolism disorder.
The Germany manager will hope to have some of his stars back for Sunday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku with his side five points clear in their Group G.
As for England, Southgate will be missing the injured Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge, and he has dropped captain Wayne Rooney.
Included for the first time will be James Ward-Prowse, captain of England’s Under 21 team.
* Agencies
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