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Wales players ask to be let off leash against England

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 21, 2022 Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates scoring their first goal - REUTERS/Hannah Mcka
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - United States v Wales - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 21, 2022 Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates scoring their first goal - REUTERS/Hannah Mcka

Wales players have asked manager Rob Page to let them off the leash against England and want him to ditch his World Cup back three.

Telegraph Sport understands that Page had been planning to stick with his back three for the must-win Group B game against England, but many of his players want him to switch to a four.

It remains to be seen whether or not Page is brave enough to abandon his back three on the wishes of his squad, but forward Daniel James could be restored at the expense of defender Connor Roberts, while Joe Allen is also pushing for a start.

That would allow Page to either move to a back four with Neco Williams and Ben Davies as his full-backs or stick with a three, with Ethan Ampadu potentially dropping into defence.

The Wales players watched the United States almost beat England by attacking Gareth Southgate’s team and want Page to let them follow suit.

It is believed the players made representation to Page this week to share the view of the squad that trying to attack England by possibly moving to a four-man defence would be their preferred approach.

Page indicated on Monday that he is ready to change his team for the England game and make sure Wales try to cause Southgate’s men problems, which would explain the possible recall of James.

Page started with a back three of Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon and Davies for both of Wales’ opening games against the USA and Iran, but have so far only scored one goal – a Gareth Bale penalty.

Wales must beat England to stand any chance of qualifying for the last-16 and the players are desperate not to let the nation’s first appearance at a World Cup since 1958 pass them by without going on the front foot.

Wales are without first-choice goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who was shown a late red card against Iran, so deputy Danny Ward will have to start against England.

England manager Southgate noted that Wales finished both of their first two games with a four-man defence after making changes and is thought to be ready for facing either a back three or a back four.

“We are not sure what system they might play,” said Southgate. “There is a good chance that they could change, we will have to see.

“Every team we have played has defended slightly differently against us to their normal because they recognise some of the threat we have got. We have to be prepared for all of that. Their obvious threat is with (Kieffer) Moore or (Gareth) Bale, or whichever individual they put in can change matches.”