Euro 2016 qualifier: Southall lauds Aaron Ramsey's Wales form

Aaron Ramsey (centre), flanked by Simon Church and Gareth Bale during Wales training, has suffered from injury this season

Neville Southall is confident that Aaron Ramsey will continue his good form for Wales in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium in Brussels.

The midfielder was criticised by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after the 3-3 Champions League draw at Anderlecht.

But ex-Wales goalkeeper Southall has no complaints over Ramsey's Wales form.

"He's played terrifically well for Wales... Wenger is questioning for his own benefit because he wants to get a bit more out of him," Southall said.

"It's just a period you got through in your career, nobody has a career where it's all fantastic and everyone has a downer.

"I don't give a monkey's whether he's not done so well for his club because what he's done for Wales has been great."

Wales will be without suspended Leicester midfielder Andy King, Reading striker Simon Church (damaged collarbone) and Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards (knee ligament damage).

But Premier League stars Ramsey and Liverpool's Joe Allen have overcome their early season injury problems, while Real Madrid's Gareth Bale is set to lead from the front.

Wales top Group B going into the match at the King Baudouin Stadium following two wins and a draw in their opening three qualifiers.

Although Wales are the underdogs against a talented Belgium side - who beat Iceland 3-1 in a friendly on Wednesday - former Everton stopper Southall believes Chris Coleman's side could be on the brink of great things.

"It's a really optimistic time for Welsh football and we're on the cusp maybe of something really, really great" - Neville Southall

"I think it's important in terms of the group but there'll be other games to catch up [if Wales lose], I don't see it as make or break for the group," said Southall, 56, who won 92 Wales caps.

"I'm sick of people thinking of us as a small nation in terms of football.

"We've got one of the best players in the world, we've got two or three others who are world class, we've got more Premier League players than we've had for a long, long time.

"So really we should be asking when are we going to qualify and not if we are going to qualify?

"That would be a more positive message... we will qualify because we're a damn good team.

"I think it's a really optimistic time for Welsh football and we're on the cusp maybe of something really, really great."