Everton and Sunderland striker Nathan Broadhead has been called up to Rob Page's Wales squad for their upcoming World Cup play-off final and UEFA Nations League ties.
Broadhead was once heralded as one of the next big things in Welsh football and has gone some way to justifying that tag courtesy of a tremendously successful campaign on Wearside, despite a three-month stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old, on loan from Everton, has netted 13 goals in 26 games for the Black Cats, who are currently preparing for a League One play-off final with Wycombe.
There are otherwise few surprises in Page's squad, with captain Gareth Bale invariably included despite his continued lack of game-time for Real Madrid. Fellow star Aaron Ramsey also gets the nod and will hope to put his disappointment in the Europa League final behind him after missing a crucial spot-kick for Rangers in their penalty shootout defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt.
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Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson, another man preparing for a Wembley play-off final towards the end of the month, also takes his place in the squad. Cardiff City's Mark Harris and Rubin Colwill are called up, but Swansea City defender Ben Cabango misses out due to injury.
Wales kick off a crucial international window with a trip to Poland in the UEFA Nations League on June 1, before hosting either Scotland or Ukraine in a gargantuan World Cup play-off final four days later.
They then host the Netherlands on June 8, before welcoming Belgium to the capital three days later, ending a busy summer schedule with a return clash against the Dutch on June 14.
Wales squad in full
GOALKEEPERS: Wayne Hennessey (Burnley), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United)
DEFENDERS: Ben Davies (Tottenham), Joe Rodon (Tottenham), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Chris Gunter (Unattached), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Neco Williams (Fulham - On loan from Liverpool)
MIDFIELDERS: Joe Allen (Stoke City), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Ethan Amapdu (Venezia- On loan from Chelsea), Matthew Smith (MK Dons), Aaron Ramsey (Rangers- On loan from Juventus), Dylan Levitt (Manchester United), Rabbi Matondo (Cercle Brugge- On loan from Schalke 04), Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Jonny Williams (Swindon Town)
FORWARDS : Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Daniel James (Leeds United), Mark Harris (Cardiff City), Nathan Broadhead (Sunderland- On loan from Everton), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest).
