Wales boss Rob Page insists he has no fears over the sharpness of star duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey ahead of the upcoming World Cup play-off semi-final with Austria.
Both players have been named in Page's 26-man squad (You can read about the squad in full here ) and are likely to once again be at the heart of their side's hopes at a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium next week, despite a worrying lack of game time this season.
Bale has played just 74 minutes of senior football since the last international camp, while Ramsey has made two starts for Rangers since his loan move from Juventus in January. Ramsey's spell in Scotland has largely been hampered by fitness issues and niggling injuries, but Page has no doubts over the midfielder's fitness ahead of next Thursday's clash.
However, he admits he will check in with Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronkhorst before the players meet up for this latest camp.
"Me and Aaron have been in constant contact," he said. "I've not spoken to the manager. I've spoken with Aaron and I trust in my medical team that have been in contact with Rangers' medical team and that's what's important to us.
"There's no lying. The numbers are there in terms of what he's been doing and how he's been training. But I will be in contact with the manager. Up to now I haven't been but before I meet up on camp I absolutely will be, yeah.
"He chose Rangers in the window because he wanted to play games, and for whatever reason he hasn't played as many minutes as he'd like. But I know Aaron's got to an age now where he looks after his body really well. So I'm not worried about that.
"I know he'll be training right. I know he'll be fully prepared. he's proved it in the past. He's had similar circumstances where he's not played domestic football and come on camp and smashed two games back to back. Both away. Tough physical games. So I'm not concerned."
Page has similarly dismissed concerns over Bale, who barring any injury problems will be one of the first names on the teamsheet next week, but admits that in an ideal world both players would be playing more regularly for their respective clubs.
"They’re big players for us, of course they are," Page replied when pressed on the duo. "We want them playing games coming into camp, of course. The good thing is they’re fit. I’ve had a great conversation with both of them. They’re raring to go, fit and they can’t wait to get on camp.
"They have done it time and time again. I don’t think we’ve had a camp where we’ve had all the starting XI playing domestic football the weekend before. It is not unusual for us. We’ll get that preparation right, they’ll have their individual programmes to make sure that come Thursday they’re in peak condition.
"Big players turn up for big games and they’ve proven that over time. The other way of looking at it is they’ll be fresh and raring to go."
Meanwhile, Page has been left raving by the progress of exciting youngster Neco Williams, who's enjoyed a rich run of form at Fulham following a recent loan from Premier League giants Liverpool.
Page was in attendance to watch Williams and team-mate Harry Wilson in action for the current Championship leaders against Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday, in a game that saw the latter net a stunning late equaliser. Williams too has caught the eye in front of goal, netting a brace in the 5-1 win over Swansea City recently, and Page believes the full-back has made the right decision in seeking game time away from Anfield.
"It's been a great move for both players," Page added. "It's a great club for them both to be at. They're full of confidence and the way they play suits both players, and I think we're going to reap the rewards of that.
"Great for Neco to make that decision. He had to be brave and strong and say to Liverpool 'I'm not happy just sitting in the squad', where he's training with world class players day in day out. He wants to play week in, week out, and I've got nothing but respect for him for doing that and he'll benefit from having that experience.
"I thought Neco, in the last camp against Belgium, went to another level. He was playing on the left, as opposed to playing on the right where he plays for Fulham just behind Harry, but you can play him anywhere on the pitch. He's full of enthusiasm. He wants to improve and he wants to play for his country.
"When you've got that, you've got a recipe for success. He's in good form and that's really encouraging for me."
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