Wales manager Rob Page has insisted that the Welsh FA have been in close communication with Tottenham regarding Brennan Johnson, insisting that he was not prepared to risk the forward’s health.
Johnson has only started one game for Spurs since his summer switch from Nottingham Forest – the 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
The 22-year-old came off with a tight hamstring in the second half of that clash and has not featured since, with reports indicating that some at Tottenham are hopeful that he could be available for the clash against Fulham on October 23 (The Athletic).
The pacy youngster has not been picked in the Welsh squad for their upcoming friendly against Gibraltar on October 11 and their Euro qualifiers against Croatia on October 15.
(Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Wales will not take any risks with Brennan Johnson
Being without their key attacker for the clash against the Croats comes as a major blow to the Dragons’ chances but Page remarked that Johnson’s health had to take precedence over everything else.
When asked about his decision to leave out the former Forest star, the Wales boss told The Daily Mail: “The communication between us and Tottenham has been first-class. It’s about having mutual respect. Both managers want a talented player fit so it’s about working together.
“I’m not going to insist that he has to come away and we’re going to play him, jeopardise his safety and health. I wouldn’t do that. But they also understand the importance of our games. We’ve had great conversations with them, but ultimately his injury will dictate whether he can meet up or not.”
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It is refreshing to hear the manager put the player’s health first instead of risking him in a crucial game. This is in stark contrast to Lionel Scaloni, who has called up Giovani Lo Celso to the Argentine squad even though the midfielder has not kicked a ball in a month and a half.
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