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Aaron Ramsey returns to Wales squad for World Cup qualifier

Wednesday 2 November 2016 12:25, UK

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Wales manager Chris Coleman insists it was a 'no brainer' to recall Aaron Ramsey back into the Wales squad for their next World Cup qualifier

Aaron Ramsey returns to the Wales squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Cardiff on Saturday, November 12, live on Sky Sports.

The midfielder has just returned to the Arsenal first team following injury, and was absent when the Welsh drew their last two qualifying games in October.

Live International Football: FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers

Although unbeaten in their opening three Group D games, as they chase a spot at the 2018 finals in Russia, Wales are currently third in the table behind Serbia and Republic of Ireland.

So the return of Ramsey is a welcome boost to a team which, four months ago, reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

Wales' midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who scored the team's first goal, celebrates their 3-0 win in the Euro 2016 group B football match between Russia and Wales
Image: Ramsey celebrates Wales' 3-0 win over Russia during the Euro 2016 finals

The 25-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in their opening Premier League fixture of the season, and missed the next 11 weeks until returning as a second-half substitute at Sunderland last Saturday.

Also recalled is in-form Joe Allen, who scored against Austria in early October, before leaving the field in the 56th minute with a hamstring complaint which meant he missed the 1-1 draw with Georgia.

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Joe Allen of Stoke City in action during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Sunderland at Bet365 Stadium
Image: Joe Allen has been in great form for Stoke this season

Once again, Chris Coleman's squad will hope to be inspired by the presence of Gareth Bale in a match Wales will probably need to win if they are to claim top spot in the group.

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Wales squad:

Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Ward (Liverpool), Williams (Inverness) B Davies (Tottenham), J Chester (Aston Villa), J Collins (West Ham), P Dummett (Newcastle), C Gunter (Reading), N Taylor (Swansea), A Williams (Everton), J Allen (Stoke), D Edwards (Wolves), E Huws (Cardiff), A King (Leicester), T Lawrence (Leicester), J Ledley (Crystal Palace), S MacDonald (Wigan), A Ramsey (Arsenal), D Cotterill (Birmingham), J Williams (Crystal Palace); G Bale (Real Madrid), H Robson-Kanu (West Brom), S Vokes (Burnley).

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