Wales have been given a major boost in preparation for their game against Iran with the return of Joe Allen to the side.
The Dragons had to do without the midfielder in their 1-1 World Cup opener against the United States on Monday, but he could be in line to feature in their next Test.
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Allen has been injured since September
Allen has been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury with Swansea City in September.
However, there is a chance the 32-year-old could make an appearance for Wales in their next game in Qatar.
Phil Blanche reported the central midfielder was able to pass a fitness test before the clash against Iran, and can therefore be selected.
News like this will surely be music to the ears of Welsh legend Dean Saunders, who by no means underestimated Allen’s influence in the side.
“We have a lot of spirit, we have the country behind us,” he told talkSPORT. “It’s a tough group, Iran, USA and England, but we have legs. In this heat, our strength as a team, through the team, they can all run.
“They’re not at their peak, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale, but they’re still class players.
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Wales will be aiming for a win against Iran
“I really hope Dan James – who is lightning fast and still doesn’t play the way I think he can play – but when we get pushed back as a team like we do in most internationals , and that we break, you have Dan James.
“Brennan Johnson at [Nottingham] Forest, he is fast. Bale is always fast. Ramsey, if he’s fit, can run.
“But the key man for us is Joe Allen. If Joe isn’t playing, we don’t have a Premier League midfielder, or even a Championship one, that we can fit in. »
Fellow Welsh hero Hal Robson-Kanu further praised his former teammate: “It will be a unique experience for all players entering the tournament, but having the experience of players who have played and played in previous tournaments will be key. .
“An unfit Joe Allen, versus no Joe Allen at all, you take an unfit Joe Allen all day.”
Wales’ draw with the United States is by no means a bad result, but they will have to win against Iran if they are to be sure of progressing to the knockout stages, with England are currently top of the Group B standings.
