New head coach Craig Bellamy has announced his first Wales squad, with some notable inclusions and exclusions. Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow has been named in the squad, alongside recalls for Ollie Cooper, Sorba Thomas, and Mark Harris. Darlow, a former player for Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, has been included due to the absence of injured veteran stopper Wayne Hennessey and Tom King of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meanwhile, midfielder Joe Morrell and Cardiff City’s Rubin Colwill have not made the cut.
Bellamy has confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will continue as Wales captain for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Turkey and Montenegro. The new head coach emphasized the importance of having multiple leaders within the squad, stating that he likes a “leadership group” and values the input of senior players. While Ramsey will wear the armband, Bellamy sees a number of captains within the team.
Darlow will be competing with Leicester City’s Danny Ward and Sheffield United’s Adam Davies for the goalkeeper position in Bellamy’s team. Currently the second choice at Leeds, Darlow previously declined the opportunity to represent Wales in 2013 and 2018. Interestingly, he is the grandson of Ken Leek, a member of Wales’ 1958 World Cup squad. Alongside Darlow, left-back Owen Beck, who recently joined Blackburn Rovers on loan from Liverpool, has also been called up by Bellamy as an uncapped player.
Other notable inclusions in the squad include Swansea City midfielder Ollie Cooper and Oxford United striker Mark Harris, who has made an impressive start to the Championship season. Sorba Thomas, who is currently on loan at Nantes from Huddersfield, also makes a return to the squad after a positive start to the 2024-25 season. Liverpool teenager Lewis Koumas retains his place in the squad after impressing on loan at Stoke City, while several players from the previous squad, including Rubin Colwill and Joe Low, have been dropped.
Some players who were part of the squad under former boss Rob Page, such as Fin Stevens and Charlie Crew, have been left out and are likely to feature for Wales Under-21s instead. Ipswich Town pair Wes Burns and Nathan Broadhead, as well as Bournemouth’s David Brooks, will miss the upcoming fixtures due to injury. Coventry City left-back Jay Dasilva, who won his first caps for Wales in the summer, has also been overlooked by Bellamy.
In conclusion, Bellamy’s first Wales squad includes some new faces and notable absences. The coach has emphasized the importance of having multiple leaders within the squad and is entrusting Aaron Ramsey with the captaincy for now. With the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Turkey and Montenegro, the squad will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities under the guidance of the new head coach.