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James Chester confident Wales can beat Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 25: James Chester of Wales and Oliver Norwood of Northern Ireland compete for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match bet
Image: James Chester believes Wales have the depth to stifle Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal

James Chester is confident Wales' disrupted defence can cope with his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo in their Euro 2016 semi-final.

Wales reached the last four of a major tournament for the first time in their history by beating Belgium 3-1 and will now meet Ronaldo's Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday for a place in the Paris final on July 10.

But they must do so without influential playmaker Aaron Ramsey and key defender Ben Davies, who has been part of an impressive three-man Wales central defence alongside Chester and skipper Ashley Williams.

"They've started every game for us so far and will obviously be a big miss," Chester said of the suspended pair, who picked up their second bookings of the tournament against Belgium.

"Aaron has undoubted ability but how much work he puts in maybe gets overlooked.

Wales' Aaron Ramsey looks dejected after being shown a yellow card during the UEFA Euro 2016, quarter final match at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille.
Image: Aaron Ramsey was a picture of dejection after being booked against Belgium

"Ben has been our stand-out defender in the tournament so far, but the big thing we've got in this squad now is strength in depth.

"We have players to come in who have played at the top level, so hopefully it won't hamper us too much."

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West Ham defender James Collins is likely to deputise for Davies in Lyon. Collins came on for the few final seconds against Belgium in Lille, his first action of the competition.

"All the lads who haven't played have been great," said Chester.

"I know myself how difficult it is to be watching every week, but their attitude has been great. They've looked after themselves well and whoever comes in will do a good job."

Nella gara più spettacolare fin qui giocata, show di Cristiano Ronaldo. Due gol, uno di tacco, e l'assist per Nani. Il portoghese riscrive il libro dei record (Getty Image)
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal stand in the way of Wales reaching the Euro 2016 final

Portugal have reached the semi-final without winning once in 90 minutes in France. They drew all three group games against Iceland, Austria and Hungary before knocking out Croatia in the last-16 with a late extra-time winner.

Portugal progressed further by beating Poland in a quarter-final penalty shoot-out, but they have not really impressed and Ronaldo has yet to light up the tournament, despite scoring twice in the 3-3 draw with Hungary.

Chester, however, admits the Real Madrid forward was a player he looked up to in their time together at Old Trafford and says that he had a profound impact on his career.

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Joe Ledley gets his 'dancing shoes' back on as Wales celebrate reaching the semi finals of Euro 2016

"He was at United when I was a young lad and I just remember what I took from him, how good a professional he was, how he looked after himself," said Chester.

"It's something I've taken through my career and it's took me as far as I've got. Just watching him really - I'm well aware of how fortunate I am to have come through that club at that time. To watch players like him and see how they behave has been massive for me throughout my career."

Wales will start as underdogs again on Wednesday but Chester said: "I don't see any reason why we can't [beat them].

"They've had to go to extra time twice, that's of benefit to us. If we play like we did against Belgium, and like we did against Russia, we'll be a match for anyone."

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