Joe Allen named in Wales squad despite surgery reports

Allen named in Wales squad despite surgery concern

14-Mar-2013 12:50:00 AM

Chris Coleman insists he has received no official news from Liverpool over the midfielder's impending shoulder operation ahead of the Dragon's upcoming World Cup qualifiers

Joe Allen has been called up to the Wales squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Croatia regardless of a shoulder injury that, if operated upon, will sideline the midfielder for an estimated three months.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Allen will go under the knife in the near future after the side’s 3-2 triumph over Tottenham on Sunday, and Allen himself said he is keen to have the treatment as soon as possible.

But Chris Coleman insists he has been kept in the dark over the situation and considers Allen to be available for Wales’ qualifiers starting on March 22.

"Obviously Brendan made the comment after the game at some stage he's going to have to have surgery, but at no time have we been told or has anybody said that he's not available,” Coleman told reporters.

"Of course if that was the case we wouldn't pick Joe. I totally respect Brendan and Liverpool and I think we've always tried to work with clubs because at the end of the day they're not our players. We're only borrowing them really.

"But no, we've not been told anything - that Joe's not available - so at the minute he's very much in the squad."

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