WALES remain in the dark over the cause of Tom Lockyer’s shock collapse in the Championship play-off final.
The Luton captain, 28, remains in hospital after he was carried off on a stretcher just eight minutes into the Wembley penalty shootout triumph over Coventry last Saturday to reach the Premier League.
Dragons boss Robert Page had a 20-minute phone conversation on Monday but has opted not to select the 14-cap centre-back for the Euro 2024 double-header against Armenia and Turkey next month.
Lockyer is expected to have further tests to determine the reason for the collapse and if he gets the green light then Page says he would ‘absolutely’ call him up to add to his 25-man squad.
Page said: “Nobody has established what the problem is with Tom. I can’t speculate. He’s ok at the minute.
“You don’t like to see any player go down injured and because of how he went down, you do wonder what the reasons were.
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“It would be silly of me to even suggest what those reasons were. It’s for Luton to make a statement with regards to what they are doing.
“We will just have to wait and see what they come up with. There will be further investigations to see what’s going on. Our medical team will be in contact with Luton.
“You are always going to phone your players and show them support. We had a great conversation. He’s frustrated and disappointed.
“As soon as he’s fit again he will be back involved. The most important thing is his health.”
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Page says he was ‘gutted’ for Lockyer, who missed out on the chance of walking up the Wembley steps and lifting the play-off trophy.
The Wales chief had the honour of leading Watford to the Prem through the play-offs during his playing days and added: “I was lucky to do it in 1999 with Watford – that was incredible.
“I am gutted for him and his family. He more than anybody deserved to walk those steps and lift that trophy.
“But I still believe there will be more moments like that for him in his career. Knowing Tom he will bounce back.
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“He’s had an incredible season so he was going to be in my plans. Would they have got promoted without him? Probably not because he’s been that key to their performances.”
Wales, who picked up four points from their opening two qualifiers in March, travel to Portugal for a warm weather training camp on June 8.
Then the Dragons host Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 followed by a trip to Turkey three days later.
Page has recalled Bournemouth’s David Brooks for the first time since his successful battle against cancer.
The Wales boss said: “I wanted to pick him in March. He played some minutes before that camp and I wanted to get him involved as soon as possible.
“I get that it was too quick, too soon and it was more beneficial for him to stay behind and play for Bournemouth Under-23s in a game that was organised for him.
“Now it’s a different situation. He’s back fit and starting games in the Premier League. He’s the quality to be in our plans moving forward. I’ve touched base with him by text and he can’t wait to meet up.
“He’s going to have to be patient. Is he going to start two games in June? Probably not. He might have some cameo roles.”
Neco Williams is included despite fracturing his jaw for Nottingham Forest in April while captain Aaron Ramsey expects to be fit following a minor calf injury.
Page added: “Aaron has played more football this season than he has done for the last few years. The little niggle, and that’s all it is, has probably come at a good time for him.
“He’s at an age now where he knows his body and how to manage it. He’s got one eye on these two games and it is not an issue.
“I know he’s enjoying his football in Nice. He’s played quite a few games and there are worse places in the world to live and life’s good for him.”
Wales squad
Hennessey, Ward, A Davies
Rodon, Cabango, Mepham, Low, Roberts, Fox, Williams, B Davies, Ampadu
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Morrell, J James, Ramsey, Wilson, Broadhead, Cooper, Harris
Johnson, Moore, Bradshaw, D James, Brooks, Cullen
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
