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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Paul Abbandonato

The completely different Wales XI we're likely to see against Mexico as fans' favourite wins landmark 100th cap

Wales veteran Chris Gunter is set to make a landmark 100th appearance for his country in a much-changed team for Saturday night's friendly with Mexico.

Stand-in boss Rob Page will make wholesale alterations from the side who lost to Belgium the other night.

He needs to keep Wales' key players fresh for the more important World Cup qualifying clash with the Czech Republic at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday night.

Defenders Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham could retain their places as Page looks to keep a modicum of consistency at the back, but the likes of Gareth Bale, Dan James and Harry Wilson are almost certain to sit out the Mexico game.

In Bale's absence, Gunter is likely to captain the team as he makes his 100th appearance for Wales.

It is an incredible achievement for Gunter, who made his international debut under John Toshack way back in 2007.

Gunter wasn't being picked by Cardiff city boss Dave Jones at the time, who preferred Paul Quinn, but his hand was forced when Toshack kept choosing the right-back for Wales.

Gunter soon cemented the position and only lost it to Connor Roberts when Ryan Gigs took charge, with the emergence of gifted Liverpool youngster Neco Williams pushing him further down the pecking order.

Swansea defender Ben Cabango could come into a new look back five next to Mepham and Rodon, with Stoke's Rhys Norrington-Davies on the other flank.

Page has an issue over who to pick at centre-forward.

Cardiff's Kieffer Moore needs a rest after his gruelling efforts with the Bluebirds this season, but Page may still pick him.

Leeds' Tyler Roberts and Hal Robson-Kanu are other alternatives.

Wayne Hennessey is also likely to return in goal, having not played any football since October.

Wales possible: Hennessey; Gunter (capt), Mepham, Rodon, Cabango, Norrington-Davies; Levitt, Smith; Lawrence, Robson-Kanu/Moore, Matondo.

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