Former Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer has been named in Rob Page’s 26-man Wales squad for the World Cup but Gas striker Aaron Collins will unfortunately not be on the plane to Qatar.
Lockyer has been called up to the national team for the first time since last year as Page admits the Dragons need more cover at centre-back, and the 27-year-old has been excelling for Luton Town in the Championship.
There had been some consideration that Collins’ form for the Gas, having scored nine goals and added six assists in 17 League One appearances this season, could make him a late entrant into the squad and Bristol Live understands that national scouts have attended the Mem to watch him in action.
But Page has largely stayed loyal to the players who have either been part of the national group since the famous Euro 2016 campaign or have been selected regularly throughout qualifying. His final travelling party doesn’t contain any uncapped players and only five individuals with single figures appearances for their country.
Collins, who has been nominated for the League One Player of the Month award for October, has enjoyed an impressive rise for Rovers since resigning for the club in summer 2021 having been part of the academy set-up as a teenager.
Collins spearheaded the Gas’ promotion drive from League Two, scoring 16 goals in 45 games, and has enhanced that form in front of goal in his first season in the third tier. Speaking last month, manager Joey Barton admitted that if Collins missed out on selection for Qatar, he’s sure to be included in future squads should he maintain his performance levels.
His omission is good news for the Gas in the sense he’ll now be free to play for the Gas as the group stage alone would have meant the 25-year-old at least missing their League One encounter against Peterborough United and their second round FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood.
Lockyer left Rovers in the summer of 2019 after eight years and 285 appearances for the club as he became a consistent and much-loved figure in the heart of the defence. He earned his first Welsh cap in 2017 while playing for the Gas and has made 14 appearances for his country.
The Cardiff-born defender also watched Rovers’ recent League One game at MK Dons alongside owner Wael Al Qadi and CEO Tom Gorringe.
Wales have been drawn in Group B of the tournament alongside Iran, England and the USA, with their first match against the latter side on November 21.
Wales squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United).
Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Tom Lockyer (Luton Town), Joe Rodon (Tottenham, on loan at Rennes), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea, on loan at Spezia), Chris Gunter (AFC Wimbledon), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley)
Midfielders: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Matt Smith (MK Dons), Dylan Levitt (Dundee United), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town)
Attackers: Harry Wilson (Fulham), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Gareth Bale (LAFC), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), Daniel James (Fulham)
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