Ben Davies, Tom Lockyer ruled out of Wales' World Cup qualifier against Belgium due to injury
Tottenham full-back Ben Davies and Luton central defender Tom Lockyer will miss Wednesday's Group E clash in Leuven; Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey had been earlier ruled out; Belgium vs Wales is live on Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm on Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm
Tuesday 23 March 2021 14:12, UK
Wales have suffered a double defensive blow ahead of their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier against Belgium after Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer were ruled out due to injury.
Tottenham full-back Davies and Luton central defender Lockyer will miss Wednesday's Group E clash in Leuven, as well as upcoming matches against Mexico and Czech Republic.
Davies has not recovered from a calf problem he suffered in Spurs' 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, while Lockyer has not played since sustaining an ankle injury against Cardiff last month.
- Aaron Ramsey out of Wales' WC qualifiers with thigh injury
- Romelu Lukaku in squad to face Wales amid Inter COVID outbreak
A Football Association of Wales statement said: "Ben Davies and Tom Lockyer have both withdrawn from the squad due to injury."
The loss of the 58-times capped Davies will be particularly felt by caretaker manager Robert Page as the Spurs player would have been a certain starter in the World Cup qualifiers in Belgium and at home to the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Trending
- World Darts Championship: Clemens, Lukeman in action on day five LIVE!
- Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Saudi could offer Rashford way out of Man Utd'
- Five years of Arteta: Arsenal transformed but what's next?
- World Darts Championship schedule: Smith in action on Thursday
- Usyk vs Fury 2: Start time, ring walks, undercard and odds
- The Friedkin Group complete Everton takeover
- Tottenham vs Man Utd: We'll see - Amorim on Rashford featuring vs Spurs
- Lawson confirmed as Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate for 2025
- Nunez and Elliott strike as Liverpool battle past Southampton
- Gabriel Jesus is back! Hat-trick for Arsenal striker sinks Palace
Davies might well have featured in a three-man central defence in Belgium and Page has few options in that area for the Leuven opener.
Wales are also without Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey who was earlier ruled out of the opening two World Cup qualifiers with a thigh injury.
The 30-year-old has missed Juventus' last two games and it was reported in Italy that he would not be fit until after the international break.
Watch Belgium vs Wales live on Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm on Wednesday, kick-off 7.45pm.