Coleman names Welsh squad for crucial World Cup Qualifier with Ireland

Wales manager Chris Coleman has named his 23-man squad for next week’s crunch World Cup qualifier with Ireland.

Gareth Bale is the only player included currently playing his club football outside of either England or Scotland, while the Red Dragons have also named the non-capped duo of Ben Woodburn and Joe Walsh.

Woodburn, who became Liverpool’s youngest ever goal scorer in November is also part of the Welsh senior squad for the first time.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, Everton defender and Wales captain Ashley Williams and striker Sam Vokes of Burnley have also been called-up as part of an 11 player Premier League cohort.

Joe Allen and Andy King were others included by Coleman and could win their 34^th and 40^th caps respectively in the Aviva Stadium clash, a meeting which could have serious implications for both sides as they bid to reach Russia 2018.

Ireland currently lead Group D with the Welsh four points behind and sitting in third spot.

The Wales Squad in Full:

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Huddersfield Town, on-loan from Liverpool), Owain Fon Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspurs), James Chester (Aston Villa), James Collins (West Ham), Joe Walsh (Milton Keynes Dons), Chris Gunter (Reading), Jazz Richards (Cardiff City), Neil Taylor (Aston Villa), Ashley Williams (Everton)

Midfielders: Joe Allen (Stoke City), Andy King (Leicester City), Dave Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tom Lawrence (Ipswich Town, on-loan from Leicester City), Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace), Shaun McDonald (Wigan Athletic), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Forwards: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Hal Robson-Kanu (West Bromwich Albion), Tom Bradshaw (Barnsley), Sam Vokes (Burnley), Ben Woodburn (Liverpool)