Aaron Ramsey: Juventus midfielder available for Wales' Nations League games
- Published
Aaron Ramsey left Arsenal for Juventus in 2019
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey will be available for Wales' Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria despite missing Thursday's friendly against England.
Juve put their squad into a bubble after two non-playing staff members tested positive for coronavirus.
Ramsey is set to join Wales' squad on Thursday, but too late to face England.
"Everything is in hand and we're looking forward to him meeting up," said Wales manager Ryan Giggs.
"Aaron's just followed the protocol that he was told and we've gone along with that.
"We expect him to be available for Sunday [to face the Republic of Ireland] and Wednesday [against Bulgaria] so we're just finalising when he can come over. It will probably be on Thursday."
Ramsey's absence for the trip to Wembley was confirmed after Juventus players entered their bubble.
None of those players is allowed to leave that bubble unless permitted to do so by the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) - the Local Health Unit.
Despite reports in the Italian media that six players have left the Juventus bubble to join their international teams, the FAW confirmed Ramsey initially remained in Turin as he is "playing it safe" and "not taking chances".
Nations League is Wales' priority says Giggs
Juve were scheduled to host Napoli on Sunday, 4 October - Ramsey was named in the starting XI - with Serie A confirming the game should go ahead.
But Napoli did not to travel to Turin as two of their players have tested positive for Covid-19, with Campania region authorities enforcing local lockdown rules and not allowing the team to travel.
Juventus, who arrived for the match at their Allianz Stadium home, are expected to be awarded a 3-0 win.
After the friendly with England, Wales' attention will be back on the Nations League, as they face Republic of Ireland in Dublin and Bulgaria in Sofia.
Ramsey's availability is a boost for Giggs, who must already overcome the blow of missing Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale for those games.
Wales will also be without Hal Robson-Kanu, who broke an arm in West Brom's 1-0 defeat at Southampton.
Robson-Kanu is to have surgery and will also miss the games against Ireland and Bulgaria.
Giggs reiterates importance of coronavirus rules
England, meanwhile, will be without Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho after they broke coronavirus rules on Saturday.
Manager Gareth Southgate had already omitted Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, who had breached protocols in Iceland in September.
In light of those incidents, Giggs was asked if he had reminded Wales' players of their responsibilities regarding coronavirus rules.
"A great deal of credit goes to the medical and sports science departments, preparing for camp and making sure when the players and staff come into the bubble, everything is safe," said Giggs.
"I just reiterated what happened in the last camp - everyone was great and we need to make sure we keep those standards up, follow the right protocols.
"I haven't had to go hard on them or go overboard - just reiterate what we did last time and keep it up."