Euro 2016

Chris Coleman: 'Wales can deal with loss of key duo for semi-final clash'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2016

Chris Coleman is unfazed by the loss of suspended players Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies for Wales's Euro 2016 semi-final showdown with Portugal.

Wales manager Chris Coleman has challenged his back-up players to step up to the plate and fill the void left by the absence of key duo Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies.

Both players picked up their second caution of the tournament in the 3-1 win over Belgium on Friday night, meaning an automatic one-match suspension to be served against Portugal.

Despite losing the ever-present pair, Coleman believes that there is enough quality in the squad to successfully deal with the threat that the Dragons' semi-final opponents pose in Lyon.

"Some of Aaron Ramsey's performances have been off the chart and we've noticed the difference in Ben [Davies] in this last season since he has been at Tottenham and fighting for that left-back spot with Danny Rose," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "[Davies] plays a slightly different role for us but his performances have been outstanding.

"Both players would be a loss to any team. But the attitude of the players who haven't played has been fantastic and that has kept the dressing room really strong and kept the vibe really positive. One or two of them are going to get a chance in this next game and that's how it works.

"You never know what's going to happen, especially in a tournament where two yellow cards in a short space of time can change a lot in terms of who plays and who doesn't. The other guys who have worked hard will now get a look in for this next game and it's not a bad one to get a start in the semi-final of a major tournament."

James Collins and Andy King are likely to come in for Davies and Ramsey respectively, although Jazz Richards is another option at the back should Coleman opt to shuffle his pack.