Allen recall would be a 'no-brainer' for Wales

Joe Allen retired in the wake of the 2022 World Cup, where he was hindered by injury

It would be a "no-brainer" for Wales to recall Joe Allen if the veteran Swansea City midfielder is willing to come out of international retirement, says former Wales player Owain Tudur Jones.

Allen, 34, called time on his Wales career in February 2023.

But there are suggestions that new head coach Craig Bellamy has spoken to Allen about returning to the national squad.

And Jones, Allen's former Wales team-mate and friend, believes the 74-cap former Liverpool player should still be representing his country.

"I can see exactly why Craig Bellamy would want to bring him in, or would be thinking about bringing Joe into the squad," Jones said.

"I don't think he would be bringing Joe in to play 90 minutes in every single game, he wouldn't be bringing him in to stop the development of Jordan James, who's been so good in the last couple of years.

“But he made five changes between both games [earlier this month]. He knows with that style of play, it's hard to replicate and perform that way in two games so changes would happen.

"Whether that would mean using Joe off the bench later on in games to see games out, whether it's to use him in a second game, who knows. But honestly I just feel it would be such a clever move because we haven't got a depth of talent especially in centre midfield."

Allen is regarded as one of Wales' all-time greats having helped his country qualify for three major tournaments.

He was a star performer in the team who reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals, and also featured at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

It was after the latter tournament that Allen opted to step down from Wales duty, aged 32, saying that "time and injuries" had taken their toll after 13 years as part of the senior national team.

However, Allen said in the lead-up to Euro 2024 - which Wales ended up missing after a play-off defeat by Poland - that he would "never say no" to Rob Page had Bellamy's predecessor asked him to come out of international retirement.

Captain Aaron Ramsey - who has since picked up the latest in a line of injuries - Ethan Ampadu, Josh Sheehan, Ollie Cooper and Rennes' James were the recognised central midfield players in Bellamy's first Wales squad.

Joe Morrell was not involved having failed to find a club following his summer exit from Portsmouth, with the likes of Dylan Levitt and Matt Smith also omitted.

Though Allen has struggled with fitness issues since re-joining Swansea in 2022, he remains an influential figure at the Championship club.

"In my personal opinion, if Joe Allen is fit he should be in the squad," added Jones.

"I've made that clear ever since he retired, reluctantly, under Rob Page a couple of years ago.

"But that decision was actually proven right because he's struggled to remain fit and stay fit for Swansea in that period, so he actually wouldn't have played much or been available for Wales for the last couple of years.

"But a fit Joe Allen, even at 34 years of age, it's a no-brainer I believe to have him in that squad, and Craig Bellamy is intelligent enough to know the strengths he has even now at a later stage in his career and what he would bring to that squad."

Joe Allen was named in Uefa's team of the tournament at Euro 2016

Another of Allen's former international colleagues, Wycombe striker Sam Vokes, has also welcomed the idea of the Pembrokeshire-born player returning to the Wales fold.

"Joe's a player that's been and done it at every level - and at international level, so I could see that happening," he told the Feast of Football podcast.

"I'm sure if Joe was to get back involved he'd want to play and get minutes on the pitch.

"But for Bellamy it might be something a bit more off the pitch. Those lads are in and around the hotel for 10 days, two weeks at a time.

"So he will have that impact and aura around the place, and he's been there and done it really for Wales."

Wales return to Nations League action with a trip to Iceland on 11 October, before they host Montenegro three days later.

The Bellamy era began in positive fashion earlier this month, with a goalless home draw against Turkey followed by a 2-1 win in Montenegro.

Allen is yet to start a game for Swansea this season, but has made four substitute appearances after agreeing a new one-year deal with the club over the summer.