Daniel Barden: Norwich keeper recalled to Wales U21 squad after cancer
- Published
Daniel Barden was on loan at Scottish Premiership side Livingston when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer
Norwich City goalkeeper Daniel Barden has been recalled to the Wales Under-21 squad following successful treatment for testicular cancer.
Wales boss Paul Bodin said Barden had been through some "dark days".
The 21-year-old was diagnosed following a Wales under-21 camp last September.
"He played the game but he just felt a little bit uncomfortable and got it all checked out and obviously was diagnosed straight away for testicular cancer," said Bodin.
"It was a shock for him and a shock for everybody around him. One minute he was playing football and the next minute he was being diagnosed with cancer.
"It was a horrendous time for him and his family and for his close friends and associates.
"We have been in dialogue over the months he has had some dark days but obviously he is through that, he has had the all clear, he's been training for about six weeks in and around the Norwich 23s and a little bit with the first team.
"He has not played a game yet but we felt it was the right thing, a great opportunity to get him in."
Though there is no guarantee Barden will feature in June's final two Euro 2023 qualifiers next month against Netherlands and Gibraltar, Bodin praised the twice-capped player's character and his desire to add to awareness of the condition.
"It's certainly not something you would wish on anybody but it is out there. The main thing is he wanted everybody to know he had it and how vulnerable we all are.
"As young men you have to check and if you do sense anything is not right, get to the doctors as quickly as possible. Dan did that and thankfully he is back in the squad and we hope he has a long and illustrious career."
Bodin is unable to call on Cardiff City defender Oliver Denham, who has been called up to the Wales senior squad for June's Nations League qualifiers and World Cup qualifying play-off final, while clubmate Isaak Davies and Swansea City's Brandon Cooper are also absent through injury.
Cardiff City central defender James Connolly, Bristol Rovers full-back Luca Hoole, Stoke City midfielder Tom Sparrow and Huddersfield Town winger Pat Jones all receive their first call-ups for this age group.
The other uncapped players in the squad are Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Ed Turns and West Bromwich Albion defender Zac Ashworth.
Both games are 17:00 GMT kick-offs at Llanelli's Parc-y-Scarlets, against Netherlands on Saturday, 11 June and Gibraltar on Tuesday, 14 June.
Wales are out of contention to qualify for next year's finals.
Wales Under-21 squad
Dan Barden (Norwich City), Lewis Webb (Shelbourne, on loan from Swansea City), Nathan Shepperd (Dundalk), Luca Hoole (Bristol Rovers), Owen Beck (Liverpool), Fin Stevens (Brentford), Ryan Astley (Everton), Zac Ashworth (West Bromwich Albion), Terry Taylor (Burton Albion), Oli Hammond (Nottingham Forest), Elliot Thorpe (Luton Town), Tom Sparrow (Stoke City), Eli King (Cardiff City), Ed Turns (Brighton & Hove Albion), James Connolly (Cardiff City), Sam Pearson (Bristol City), Joe Adams (Dundalk), Rhys Hughes (Everton), Jack Vale (Blackburn Rovers), Luke Jephcott (Plymouth Argyle), Pat Jones (Huddersfield Town).