- Ramsey looks set to miss vital Croatia qualifier
- Midfielder injured in training
- Huge blow to Wales
In a major setback for Wales’ European Championship hopes, captain Aaron Ramsey is a doubt for the crucial qualifier against Croatia scheduled for 15th October in Cardiff.
Ramsey injured in training
Ramsey sustained a right knee injury during a training session with Cardiff City, a mishap that could potentially keep him sidelined for the next three weeks. Cardiff are currently awaiting the results of a scan to assess the extent of the damage, amid fears of a possible ruptured tendon.
Manager Erol Bulut expressed his concern, stating: “Two days ago in training he got an injury and I get the medical report that says he won’t be available for three weeks,” boss Erol Bulut said.
“It’s the right knee, the same knee that he had an operation on many years ago.
“I hope that we can have him back after the international break.”
Despite Wales’ recent 2-0 victory against Latvia in September, they find themselves in fourth place in Group D, trailing joint leaders Turkey and Croatia by three points. The road to the Euro 2024 finals in Germany has become increasingly challenging, with only the top two teams in each group earning automatic qualification.
Wales now face a daunting task against the undefeated Croatian side at the Cardiff City Stadium. The absence of Ramsey, a stalwart with 84 caps for his country, is a significant blow to their chances in this critical match.
Ramsey himself expressed his disappointment on social media, saying, “Absolutely gutted to say that last week I picked up an injury in training. I will be seeking the specialist advice on next steps. I’m determined to get back and help the team as quickly as I can.”
The 32-year-old midfielder, who scored a crucial goal in Wales’ recent victory in Riga, has been enjoying a resurgence in form since rejoining his childhood club this summer. With three goals in six Championship games, including a pivotal penalty against local rivals Swansea City, Ramsey’s contribution has been instrumental.
Wales, under the management of Robert Page, are set to face Gibraltar in a friendly on 11th October in Wrexham before their clash with Croatia. The team will have to regroup and find ways to compensate for Ramsey’s absence as they strive to keep their Euro 2024 qualification hopes alive.
Betting Implications
Wales were already going in as underdogs against Croatia, however, this makes their task even more difficult. Bettors need to assess how much Ramsey’s absence will weaken Wales and those looking to bet on the Dragons to qualify will need to take into account this setback when assessing their chances.
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