Ashley Williams: Wales captain adds to injury crisis

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Ashley WilliamsImage source, Getty Images

Wales have suffered another blow ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Belgium with skipper Ashley Williams of Swansea ruled out.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Burnley striker Sam Vokes also missed Tuesday's training session.

Defender Williams' ankle injury leaves boss Chris Coleman without 10 regulars.

Adam Matthews, Ben Davies, Gareth Bale, Danny Gabbidon, Sam Ricketts, Jack Collison, Joe Allen, Jonathan Williams and Joe Ledley were already ruled out.

Uncapped Southampton midfielder Lloyd Isgrove, 20, is one of nine call-ups.

However, Williams's absence is a further defensive worry for Coleman, who has again left West Ham United centre-back James Collins out.

After the 3-0 defeat by Serbia in Cardiff on 10 September, Coleman was critical of Collins, saying the player had rejected the chance to join the squad before the game, a claim Collins denies.

Owain Tudur Jones, Daniel Alfei, James Wilson, Rhoys Wiggins, Jermaine Easter and Shaun MacDonald have been called up.

David Cotterill and Jazz Richards also return to international duty as Coleman plugs gaps created by injuries and Andrew Crofts' suspension against Macedonia.

Cardiff forward Craig Bellamy, 34, has been included for what will be his final games for the Dragons after announcing his international retirement at the end of this campaign.

Bale was an early withdrawal, having made three appearances since his world record move to Real Madrid.

Davies suffered a suspected hamstring injury late in Swansea's 2-0 defeat at Southampton on Sunday, while Matthews hurt his collarbone playing for Celtic and Gabbidon (hamstring) missed Crystal Palace's trip to Liverpool at the weekend.

Gabbidon's team-mate Jonathan Williams is another injury absentee, adding to the problems in midfield with Allen, Ledley and Crofts all missing.

Newcastle United defender Paul Dummett could have been considered for his first senior cap, but the Wales Under-21 player has injured a hamstring.

Wales go into Friday's clash against Macedonia at Cardiff City Stadium bottom of Group A and travel to leaders Belgium on Tuesday, 15 October.

Coleman's side have six points from eight games, leading to speculation over his future as Wales boss.

He is still in negotiations to extend his deal beyond the qualifying campaign.

Football Association of Wales, external chief executive Jonathan Ford had hinted much could depend on the next two results in the next two World Cup qualifiers.

But Ford has since told BBC Radio Wales that Coleman will not be judged solely on their two remaining group clashes.

Wales squad:

W Hennessey (Wolves), B Myhill (West Brom), O Fon Williams (Tranmere), C Gunter (Reading), N Taylor (Swansea), D Alfei (Swansea), J Wilson (Bristol City), R Wiggins (Charlton), A Richards (Huddersfield), D John (Cardiff), A King (Leicester), A Ramsey (Arsenal), D Vaughan (Sunderland), L Isgrove (Southampton), O Tudur Jones (Hibernian), S MacDonald (Bournemouth), D Cotterill (Doncaster), C Bellamy (Cardiff), S Church (Charlton), H Robson-Kanu (Reading), S Vokes (Burnley), J Easter (Crystal Palace).

Wales Under-21 squad (against Lithuania on 11 October, 14:00 BST and San Marino on 15 October, 14:00 BST at the BookPeople Stadium, Bangor): Connor Roberts (Cheltenham Town), Danny Ward (Liverpool), Kieron Freeman (Derby County), Lee Evans (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Morgan Fox (Charlton Athletic), Elliott Hewitt (Ipswich Town) George Ray (Crewe Alexandra), Scott Tancock (Swansea City), Joe Walsh (Crawley Town), Billy Bodin (Torquay United)Bradley Reid (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tom O'Sullivan (Cardiff City), Gwion Edwards (Swansea City; on-loan St Johnstone), Lee Lucas (Swansea City), Wes Burns (Bristol City), Ellis Harrison (Bristol Rovers), Josh Pritchard (Fulham; loan Tromso), Tom Lawrence (Manchester United).

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