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Joe Ledley included in Wales squad after injury recovery

Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley has recovered from a broken leg in time to be named in the Wales squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France  
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley has recovered from a broken leg in time to be named in the Wales squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France   Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley has recovered from a broken leg in time to be named in the Wales squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France  

JOE LEDLEY could complete a remarkable recovery from a broken leg to make Wales' Euro 2016 opener against Slovakia.

Ledley proved his fitness during Wales' five-day training camp in Portugal last week to win a place in Chris Coleman's 23-man squad for France. Wales manager Coleman had said Ledley would only be selected if he was fit in time for the final group game against Russia on June 20.

But the 29-year-old could now make the first game in Bordeaux on June 11, just five weeks after fracturing his left leg playing for Crystal Palace: "We will assess Joe and we will know more in the next week," said Coleman as he unveiled his squad.

"But at the moment, I think he has a good chance of playing against Slovakia. The work he has put in is incredible and he looks good. He trained on the grass in Portugal, albeit with the medical team, but he played a huge part in the campaign and is a big part of this team. With the injury he has had, he is ahead of his work in his rehab."

Coleman named only seven defenders in his squad, with full-backs Paul Dummett and Adam Matthews both missing out. Emyr Huws lost out on a midfield place in a three-way battle to David Vaughan and David Edwards.

David Cotterill has been named as one of five forwards with a fitness doubt over Hal Robson-Kanu. The 27-year-old picked up a slight knock in Portugal and young Bristol City striker Wes Burns will travel with the squad to France as cover.

Coleman has until the eve of Wales' first game to change the make up of his squad on medical grounds. Strikers Tom Bradshaw and Tom Lawrence both miss out through injury, as does Blackburn defender Adam Henley.

But Gareth Bale is fine after handing Wales a fitness scare during Real Madrid's Champions League final victory in Milan last Saturday night. Bale spent the entire period of extra-time barely able to move, but it was nothing more than a severe bout of cramp.

"We watched the game and he looked fantastic," said Coleman.

"He was limping a bit, but he is great physically. It's all positive for us because Gareth will be in a good frame of mind and we're looking forward to having him with us. We have to get to Gareth's level as best as we can, we've got some top players like Rambo [Ramsey], Ashley Williams and Joe Allen, but we've got good players behind them.

"This is the next challenge for us, for Gareth as well, because what we've done getting there has gone. The group are very together and there is a great bond and good vibe there. It was a tense week in Portugal, but it was a hard-working camp.

"It was not easy for them at the end of a long season and, added to that, they had to wait to find who was in and who was out. It's tough giving them the news, but it needs to be done. I had to be honest and some reacted differently to others.

"But whatever reaction I got, I would have taken."

WALES SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

WAYNE HENNESSEY (Crystal Palace, 24/01/87, 56 caps, 0 goals)


Undisputed number one goalkeeper, who is an imposing presence at 6ft 6in and has had a decent Premier League season at Palace.

DANNY WARD (Liverpool, 22/06/93, 1 cap, 0 goals)


Liverpool understudy has taken over the number two spot in goal after making his debut against Northern Ireland in March.

OWAIN FON WILLIAMS (Inverness, 17/03/87, 1 cap, 0 goals)


Been around the squad for years, but the goalkeeper only made his debut against Holland last November.

DEFENDERS

CHRIS GUNTER (Reading, 21/07/89, 66 caps, 0 goals)


Reliable at right-back or as part of a three-man central defence and on course to become the first Welshman to win 100 caps.

ASHLEY WILLIAMS (Swansea, 28/08/84, 58 caps, 1 goal)


Huge presence at the back and on the team, with his leadership skills playing a crucial part in Wales' Euro 2016 qualification.

JAMES CHESTER (West Brom, 23/01/89, 10 caps, 0 goals)


Slotted in well since making his debut in June 2014 and finally established himself at West Brom to get pre-Euro 2016 action.

JAMES COLLINS (West Ham, 23/03/83, 45 caps, 3 goals)


Sound season at West Ham before picking up injuries and adds vital experience to the Wales back-line when called upon.

BEN DAVIES (Tottenham, 24/04/93, 19 caps, 0 goals)


Struggled to depose Danny Rose at Spurs, but provides versatility for Wales, either on the left side of a three-man defence or at left-back.

NEIL TAYLOR (Swansea, 07/02/89, 27 caps, 0 goals)


The Swansea regular is a consistent performer who defends well at left-back but also has the energy to get forward into attacking areas.

ASHLEY RICHARDS (Fulham, 12/04/91, 9 caps, 0 goals)


The right-back had to drop down into the Championship to get regular club football, but has never let Wales down when needed.

MIDFIELDERS

JOE ALLEN (Liverpool, 14/03/90, 25 caps, 0 goals)


Impressive for Liverpool in recent weeks and huge cog in the Wales midfield with his intelligent passing and positional play.

JOE LEDLEY (Crystal Palace, 23/01/87, 61 caps, 4 goals)


The experienced Palace man, who recovered from a fractured leg to make the squad, is a tireless worker who dovetails well with Allen in central midfield.

DAVID VAUGHAN (Nottingham Forest, 18/02/83, 41 caps, 1 goal)


Likely to provide back-up in France, but an experienced campaigner who knows the demands of the midfield holding job well.

ANDY KING (Leicester, 29/10/88, 32 caps, 2 goals)


On a high after Leicester's stunning Premier League title success and capable of scoring goals from central-midfield.

AARON RAMSEY (Arsenal, 26/12/90, 38 caps, 10 goals)


High-energy midfielder who has racked up over 250 appearances for Arsenal and has the licence to support the frontmen for Wales.

DAVE EDWARDS (Wolves, 03/02/86, 31 caps, 3 goals)


Recovered from a broken foot to take his place in the squad and his experience could prove useful for Wales in France.

GEORGE WILLIAMS (Fulham, 07/09/95, 7 caps, 0 goals)


Impact has been slowed by a serious knee injury in 2015, but youthful zest has been a plus for Wales when he has been involved.

JONATHAN WILLIAMS (Crystal Palace, 9/10/93, 11 caps, 0 goals)


Clever on the ball and made an exciting international introduction, but he has been plagued by injuries and had limited chances.

DAVID COTTERILL (Birmingham, 04/12/87, 23 caps, 2 goals)


Enjoyed a bright season in the Championship and provides reliable midfield cover, with his dead-ball delivery a dangerous weapon.

FORWARDS

HAL ROBSON-KANU (Reading, 21/05/89, 30 caps, 2 goals)


Unselfish front-runner who has become something of a cult hero with the fans. Harries defenders and never gives up a lost cause.

SAM VOKES (Burnley, 21/10/89, 39 caps, 6 goals)


The burly striker's goals helped Burnley back into the Premier League and his physical presence offers Wales another attacking option.

GARETH BALE (Real Madrid, 16/7/89, 54 caps, 19 goals)


On a high after lifting the Champions League trophy for the second time, the team's star player has pace, skill and the ability to create and score goals.

SIMON CHURCH (MK Dons, 10/12/88, 35 caps, 3 goals)


Went to Aberdeen on loan to get vital pre-Euros game time, and goals in Scotland secured his place in the squad for France.