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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

Tottenham defender Ben Davies pulls out of Wales squad through injury

Tottenham defender Ben Davies has withdrawn from the Wales squad because of injury. 

The Spurs man will miss Wednesday’s opening 2022 World Cup qualifier against Belgium, as well as games against Mexico and Czech Republic during the international break. 

In a double blow for Wales, Luton centre-back Tom Lockyer has also pulled out. 

A Football Association of Wales statement said: “Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer have both withdrawn from the squad due to injury.”

The loss of the 58-times capped Davies will be particularly felt by caretaker manager Robert Page as the Spurs player would have been a certain starter in the World Cup qualifiers in Belgium and at home to the Czech Republic on Tuesday.

Lockyer’s absence is less surprising as the Hatters defender has not played since sustaining an ankle injury against Cardiff last month.

Davies might well have featured in a three-man central defence in Belgium and Page has few options in that area for the Leuven opener.

Wales also play a friendly against Mexico in Cardiff on Saturday, where Page is expected to field a side consisting mostly of fringe players.

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