Euro 2016: Wales in 'great position' says Liverpool's Joe Allen

Joe Allen joined Liverpool from Swansea City for £15m in 2012

Joe Allen says Wales' good start to their Euro 2016 campaign gives them a great chance to qualify for a major tournament finals for the first time since 1958.

Chris Coleman's side are a point behind Group B leaders Israel, who they face in Haifa on 28 March.

Allen says reaching France would be "an incredible achievement."

"When you get that first cap it's something that you dream of achieving," he said.

Allen is due to join up with the Wales squad after playing a full game in Liverpool's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Former Swansea City player Allen has won 19 caps since making his debut in a friendly win over Estonia in Llanelli in May 2009.

"When I go back a few years it [qualification] seemed quite distant and quite unlikely," Allen told Sport Wales.

"There's been some highs and some big lows as well.

"We have to realise it's a great chance for us to achieve that dream.

"You look at the quality that we've got, the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. It's a dream that everyone shares."

Israel top the group having won all three of their games so far with Wales a point behind in second with two wins and two draws from their four games.

Coleman's side maintained their unbeaten record with a 0-0 draw away to World Cup quarter-finalists Belgium in November.

Allen says he can turn his focus from helping Liverpool secure a place in next season's Champions League to Wales' Euro 2016 bid.

"With it being such a big wait since the last international game until this one the excitement's been steadily building," Allen added.

"Along with everyone else, I'm really looking forward to this match.

"Obviously we've put ourselves in a great position after four games.

"When you think of the strength of Belgium and Bosnia and to currently be ahead of them is a great achievement.

"But there's still so much more to be done. Israel have had a great start themselves so it's added to the billing I guess for that game.

"We'll have to make sure we maintain the levels we've been performing at and keep adding those points and we're right in the mix come the end of the qualifying round."

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