Davies back to lead Wales for crucial qualifiers

Tottenham defender Ben Davies has won 100 caps for Wales

World Cup qualifier: Liechtenstein v Wales

Venue: Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz Date: Saturday, 15 November Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Coverage: Live on iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Ben Davies has been included in the Wales squad for their final World Cup qualifying group games against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia, despite missing the past month with injury.

The 32-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender has not played since picking up a hamstring problem in October's defeat by Belgium on 13 October.

But he returns for the trip to Liechtenstein on Saturday 15 November, with Wales then hosting North Macedonia in Cardiff the following Tuesday.

Davies will continue to lead Wales, as regular captain Aaron Ramsey is once again absent.

Midfielder Ramsey, 34, has missed the entirety of the campaign with fitness issues and has not been selected amid reports he has quit Mexican side Pumas UNAM.

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy said he was aware of Ramsey's situation but said it is down to the player himself to reveal his current circumstances.

"It's not for me to talk about the clarity on that, that's for Aaron and the club he's at, or not at," Bellamy said.

"To me he's not available at this present moment as he's still injured. It definitely wasn't an option for us. We monitor as it goes along and see where we are.

"The camps have been really quick which is great, but after this there's a gap. I imagine the situation will be a lot clearer."

Ramsey's situation has been further complicated by the disappearance in Mexico of his beloved dog Halo, with the player saying it "will continue to haunt" his family.

"I know it's been a difficult time for him at this present moment with his family," Bellamy added.

"I believe we've all been there one stage or another and we know how difficult this period is... I've been there and anyone who has had dogs, yeah, you've been in that situation.

"It's the most heart-wrenching feeling going, so he has a young family to try and navigate through that as well.

"So I feel at the moment what would be best for us all is just stay quiet for a minute, you know (he's) an incredible person, an incredible player for our country, let him be for this period.

"I think we need to just say, 'look there are other things more important than football', and this is one of them."

Davies has captained the side in Ramsey's absence and is joined in Craig Bellamy's 26-man squad by fit-again Leeds United winger Dan James.

An ankle problem saw the 27-year-old pull out of last month's squad for the friendly game with England at Wembley and the qualifying clash with Belgium.

His replacement, Cardiff City's Isaak Davies, drops out of the squad, although Cardiff City midfielder Rubin Colwill keeps his place.

Colwill, 23, was only called into October's squad as a replacement and his omission in recent months has caused some debate among supporters and pundits given his League One form.

Winger Dan James made his senior Wales debut against Albania in November 2018

Burnley defender Connor Roberts, Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward and Ipswich Town's Wes Burns all remain unavailable through injury, as Wales look to find some form at the end of their group campaign.

The 4-2 defeat to Belgium last time out effectively ended automatic qualifying hopes, with Wales now needing to win their remaining fixtures to guarantee runners-up spot in Group J.

Looking to secure home advantage in March's play-offs for next summer's finals, Wales travel to the pool's bottom side Liechtenstein on 15 November before hosting second-placed North Macedonia in Cardiff three days later in what promises to be a crunch encounter.

Ranked 206th in the world, Liechtenstein are yet to register a point – or a goal – from their six games so far. North Macedonia – having played a game more - are currently three points ahead of Wales with a six-goal advantage in goal difference.

Belgium are all but assured of automatic qualification, needing just three points to finish top with games against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein remaining.

Wales can finish as group runners up by winning both their remaining games.

Alternatively, beating Liechtenstein by six goals or more would mean a draw against North Macedonia in Cardiff would also be enough.

Wales are already guaranteed a play-off place via the Nations League, but must finish second to avoid being among the bottom seeds and the prospect of an away semi-final.

The draw for the play-offs is on Thursday 20 November, with the one-legged semi-finals and finals held in March.

Wales squad

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (Everton).

Defenders: Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Jordan James (Leicester City - on loan from Stade Rennais), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City).

Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Dan James (Leeds United) Lewis Koumas (Birmingham City - on loan from Liverpool), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham).