Andy King happy to play holding role for Wales against Slovakia

Andy King is confident of playing in an unfamiliar role in Wales' Euro 2016 opener against Slovakia, if asked to do so.

Joe Ledley has made a remarkable recovery from the fractured leg he suffered playing for Crystal Palace five weeks ago and is available for selection, but manager Chris Coleman says 90 minutes may be beyond him which could see King or David Edwards stepping in alongside Joe Allen in a midfield holding role.

King is ready to occupy that position in Bordeaux on Saturday, even though he admits it is a different role to the one in which he has made his name at Leicester.

The 27-year-old has scored 60 goals in his Leicester career, including two vital strikes in 25 Premier League appearances during their title-winning campaign last season.

"It's obviously a different position and the shape is different to Leicester," said King. "But it is one I have played many times for Wales. It's one I am used to and which I enjoy, but obviously it is slightly different." 

King, who also scored in the 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over West Ham last September, is one of nine players in the Wales squad who were born in England.

He was born in Barnstaple, grew up in Maidenhead and qualified for Wales through his late grandfather Robin, who came from Wrexham.

"Brian Flynn (Wales youth chief) probably found most of us who have come through," said King, who will hope to feature against England in Lens on Thursday.

"We have known the boys since we were 16 or 17 and it's not been a problem. You see it across many countries where the players were maybe not born directly there, but the players go on to represent that country.

"We are one proud nation and we all want to win for Wales. I am sure all the boys know that, whether they were born in the country or qualified through a different matter."

And King believes Leicester's stunning title success has changed everyone's perception of what is possible
in football.

"It's the whole outside expectation, not just within the dressing-room," he said. "It probably gives everyone the thought that anything could happen, especially in a tournament where you have six or seven games to go on and win it.

"If you look at it like that, Wales have probably got a better chance of winning the Euros than Leicester had at the start of the season of winning the league. So why can't we go on and do something different?"