Injured Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley deserves to go to Euro 2016, says Wales captain Ashley Williams

OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images
Sam Long26 May 2016

Wales captain Ashley Williams has urged manager Chris Coleman to take injured midfielder Joe Ledley to Euro 2016.

The Crystal Palace man broke his leg in the penultimate game of the Premier League season and remains an injury doubt for the tournament in France.

Ledley's fibula fracture is a minor one and he managed to take part in a light training session earlier this week as Wales step up their pre-tournament preparation in Portugal.

Coleman remains uncertain as to whether he will include Ledley in his final 23-man squad - and admits it will be a big decision - but Williams is adamant the 29-year-old deserves a place.

“Joe is massive in the squad and even if he is not fit he should still be around," Williams told the Mirror.

“He deserves to be there, even if he doesn’t make it on to the pitch.

“It was disappointing for him to miss the FA Cup Final but we didn’t expect him to be running and doing the work he is already.

“Seeing what he can do I would expect him to be all right but he deserves to be in and around the team as he is a big personality in the camp.

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“He’s the joker who makes it easier for everyone,” added the Swansea skipper.

Ledley's injury has already seen him miss Palace's defeat in the FA Cup final and he will have just one international friendly against Sweden to prove his match fitness to Coleman before Euro 2016 begins.

Wales will compete in an international tournament for the first time in 58 years this summer and have been drawn against Slovakia, England and Russia in Group B.

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