Wales Squad Update Ahead of World Cup Qualifier Against Kazakhstan
World Cup Qualifier: Kazakhstan vs Wales
Venue: Astana Arena, Astana
Date: Thursday, 4 September
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Live on iPlayer, BBC One, S4C, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, as well as the BBC Sport website and app, featuring live text commentary.
In a recent development, Joe Rodon, Nathan Broadhead, Danny Ward, and Jay DaSilva have withdrawn from the Wales squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan in Astana. In their place, head coach Craig Bellamy has called up Tom King, Rhys Norrington-Davies, and Joel Colwill.
Rodon, who plays for Leeds United, along with Wrexham players Broadhead and Ward, and Coventry City's DaSilva, are sidelined due to injury issues. Cardiff City midfielder Joel Colwill receives his first senior call-up, stepping in after his older brother, Rubin, was initially selected but had to withdraw due to an injury sustained in a recent match against Plymouth Argyle.
Rodon, a crucial defensive player for Wales, will miss the match despite having played the full 90 minutes in Leeds' goalless draw with Newcastle United last Saturday. DaSilva also completed the full match for Coventry in their draw against Oxford. Broadhead was unable to participate in Wrexham's victory over Millwall due to a calf injury, while Ward's availability for national duty is in doubt after being carried off during that game.
Wales is already without Ethan Ampadu from Leeds and Connor Roberts from Burnley for this camp due to injuries, and captain Aaron Ramsey was not selected due to limited playing time with his club.
Colwill has made eight appearances for Cardiff this season, and Bellamy noted last week that the 20-year-old was on the verge of joining the squad. Rubin Colwill, 23, has been in excellent form, scoring four goals in eight matches this season. He played 90 minutes and scored against Plymouth before being forced to withdraw from international selection due to injury.
Wales currently sits second in Group J, having suffered only one defeat in four qualifying matches—a 4-3 loss to Belgium in June. They trail North Macedonia by one point, who recently won 1-0 against Kazakhstan, while Belgium is three points behind but has two games in hand. Following the match against Kazakhstan, Wales will face Canada in a friendly on Tuesday, 9 September, in Swansea.