RYAN GIGGS was dealt a huge Nations League blow after Aaron Ramsey and David Brooks pulled out of his Wales squad.
Juventus midfielder Ramsey and Bournemouth winger Brooks were due to feature in the Dragons’ clashes with Finland in Helsinki on Thursday and the visit of Bulgaria three days later.
And Giggs will also be without defender Ashley Williams, 36, and Leeds striker Tyler Roberts when they withdrew last night.
Giggs has called up Ben Woodburn and Brennan Johnson from the U21s.
Brooks, 23, sat out Bournemouth’s pre-season friendly with Benfica in Lisbon last night.
Bournemouth tweeted: “Brooksy has injured his ankle.” with a picture of the 23-year-old sat next to the dugout ahead of the friendly at the Stadium of Light.
The club’s match feed for the game added: “David Brooks has a minor ankle complaint. Brooks did travel with the team so will be an interested spectator this evening.”
Giggs’ 26-man squad, including Gareth Bale, are expected to train at their Vale of Glamorgan HQ on Monday.
Brooks made just nine Premier League appearances for the Cherries last season after two ankle operations.
The highly-rated wideman sustained an ankle injury in pre-season last July as well as missing the majority of the campaign he also sat out the second half of Wales’ successful Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Although Brooks returned in match action when the Prem resumed following the delay in June as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, he was unable to keep Bournemouth in the top-flight.
Brooks missed the majority of last campaign with an ankle injuryCredit: Alamy Live News
Brooks was named Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2019 after an impressive start to life at international level.
Since ex-Wales boss Chris Coleman handed Brooks his debut against France in November 2017, he has won 12 caps for his country and scored his only international goal in the 2-1 defeat against Croatia in June 2019.
Brooks, linked with a big-money summer move back to the Prem with Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, has not played for Wales since the 1-0 defeat to Hungary in June 2019.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
