Wales recall approach 'excites' Allen - Williams

Joe Allen has won 74 caps for Wales.

Head coach Luke Williams says Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen is "excited" by talks of a potential Wales return after confirming an approach from Wales coach Craig Bellamy.

Allen, 34, won 74 Wales caps before retiring from international duty in 2023 to focus on his club form and fitness.

When asked about reports that Bellamy had spoken to Allen about a return, Williams said: "I believe so. I completely understand why because Joe's a fantastic player who still has a lot to offer. So I think it can only be a good thing."

“We have had a chat," Williams added. "I think it's something that really excites him. But I think between myself and Joe we're not picking the [Wales] squad. So it's a conversation at the moment. It's a flattering conversation. I'm certainly supporting Joe, but at the moment it's just a conversation.

"If he does get called up then fantastic, but if not even just the contact and the phone call has been really positive."

Williams says he sees "nothing negative” if Allen does choose to link up with Wales again but stressed that a decision has not yet been made by the player.

The Swans coach says talks between Bellamy and Allen were conducted recently and that the Wales boss has watched a lot of the veteran midfielder in the Championship so far this season.

"I think Craig will obviously be more than aware of Joe," Williams said.

"He's been at a few of our games, I believe. So he will have seen some game time with Joe as well,” added Williams.

"So I believe it's a fairly recent thing. But I think everybody knows the quality of Joe Allen and what he can do. If you can see him on the pitch in a Championship game, you know that he's fit for purpose and he's ready to play.

"I can't see anything negative about it I think, because it would be a huge boost for him. I've been very open about how incredible I think the set-up is at the moment with the national team and the more of our players that can be involved in that the better."

Williams says Wales duty has been good for his other players, such as Liam Cullen and Ollie Cooper.

"I think the guys that went to the last camp came back in a really positive frame of mind," he added.

"I think Craig and his team really take time to look after the players individually because they know that the clubs have different training schedules and the players are in different places. Some have played more football or less football and need individual programmes, and they've been very accommodating with that.

"Joe will be no different. Joe will be looked after and in a very professional way. So I think it's only positive, really."

An Allen u-turn would be a major boost for Wales and Bellamy especially due to the injury of captain and fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

However Williams does not expect Allen to play many 90-minute matches due to his age.

“I think probably the thing that's changed is he was very much a starting player for Wales and was expected to try and play 70 minutes every week [in club football],” said Williams.

“I think that's changed somewhat, and I think the captain [Matt Grimes] is a machine, not even sure if he's human, then Goncalo [Franco] has taken to life in the Championship, then you have Jay Fulton, a beast of a man that can play and churn out minutes.

“Joe's in there with as much quality as anyone, of course. Incredible quality, but probably, it's fair to say, isn't as able to smash out the minutes as much as these guys.

“I don't think this is a distraction for him, but is a welcome change of scenery and chance to be re-invigorated. I don't think Craig is really thinking that Joe's going to have to play two games for 90 minutes during the international break. I don't think so. I think [Ethan] Ampadu would probably have something to say about that as well”.