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Aaron Ramsey to start for Wales in World Cup Qualifier against Serbia

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Aaron Ramsey will return to the Wales side for the World Cup qualifier at home to Serbia on Saturday

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey will start for Wales in Saturday's crunch World Cup Qualifier against Serbia.

Ramsey has only just returned from a hamstring injury suffered on the opening day of the season and not completed 90 minutes since the Euro 2016 last-16 victory over Northern Ireland in June.

The 25-year-old has had only 113 minutes of first-team action for Arsenal since returning from an 11-week lay-off.

But Coleman has stressed Ramsey's importance as Wales attempt to overtake Group D leaders Serbia, saying: "He's ready and he looks great.

"He's not played too much football for Arsenal but, of course, he's going to start the game as we sit here now.

Wales' Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2016, Group B match at Stadium Municipal, Toulouse.
Image: Ramsey celebrates scoring in Euro 2016

"However long he'll last, physically, we don't know. But we do know he's generally probably one of the fittest players playing football.

"Looking at the last two months, we have to see where he's at. But he'll start the game."

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Ramsey was one of Wales' stand-out players as they reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and was named in the official team of the tournament.

LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 01:  Aaron Ramsey (top) and Wales players celebrate their team's first goal by Ashley Williams (obscured) during the UEFA EURO 2016 qu
Image: Ramsey (top) and Wales players celebrate their team's first goal against Belgium in Euro 2016

He was suspended for the semi-final defeat to Portugal and Coleman admits Wales have missed him during their opening three World Cup qualifiers.

Wales beat Moldova in their opening game before October draws against Austria and Georgia left them two points adrift of Serbia.

"Being without him for the first three games was a blow for us," Coleman said. "It would be a blow for anyone, because when our games come around they are huge challenges.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at
Image: Ramsey has been out since the first game of the season

"This is another and we've always got a great chance of beating anybody when we're at our strongest.

"But you have to say without Aaron Ramsey, take him out of any team and it's a loss. It's my opinion there's not a team on the planet he couldn't play for when he's at his best.

"That's not a biased opinion because I'm a Welshman and we all love 'Rambo'. I'm looking at it clinically, because playing in the tournament against the top teams, he was head and shoulders above."

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