Craig Bellamy says ‘romantic’ Montenegro return for Joe Allen would be a gamble

Wales boss Craig Bellamy accepts everyone loves romance in football but thinks asking Joe Allen to solve his midfield conundrum against Montenegro would be a “gamble”.

Swansea veteran Allen, capped 74 times for his country and among Wales’ best-ever midfielders, reversed the decision he made in February 2023 to retire from international football earlier this month.

The 34-year-old’s fitness issues were such that he did not make the matchday squad for Friday’s 2-2 Nations League draw against Iceland in Reykjavik on a night when Wales’ slim central midfield options took another hit.

Jordan James received his second booking in the competition to earn a one-match ban, his absence for Montenegro’s visit on Monday adding to that of injured pair Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu.

Allen has not started a game since April 1, with only a handful of appearances from the Swansea bench this season.

“Of course he’s a gamble if you throw him in from the start because of his minutes and football this year,” Bellamy said.

“It’s clear he hasn’t been playing football. We knew that from the start.

“Hopefully he kicks the ball for me on Monday. Even if he doesn’t he’s had an incredible week and been really positive for us.

“When you see a player like him in training and the habits he has you understand why he’s had such a great career. That’s really important.

“We all love romance, no? It doesn’t always happen in football. You’re in the wrong business if you don’t like romance in football.

“I’m so appreciative for what he has been able to do for our country. I say this with Aaron Ramsey but I truly believe it… you don’t want to let go, stay longer. I’m going to use every bit of him.

“Would I want the fairytale ending for these type of people? Yes, because of what they’ve given.”

Josh Sheehan is more likely to get the nod over Allen to start at Cardiff City Stadium and, although he wore the armband against Gibraltar in the summer, the 29-year-old is at League One Bolton – the only Wales squad member operating below the Championship.

It underlines the lack of numbers Wales possess in central midfield, a problem that has nagged long and hard before Bellamy settled into the hot seat in July.

He said: “We are light in the number six area and that’s through all the age groups. If you gave me a look at squad planning when I first came into this, that’s why attacking I could double up.

“In one or two areas we don’t quite have… we’ve seen bigger nations than ours really struggle in that area.

“It’s a really important area for how we play. We just have to get on with it. I’m looking forward to seeing how one or two others get on in that position. They deserve it.”

Wales are also without the suspended Brennan Johnson, their best player and in fantastic form having scored in six consecutive games for Tottenham.

Johnson also opened the scoring in Iceland before being replaced with Wales 2-0 ahead at half-time.

“We’ve been able to put ourselves in a position in the last two games where we’ve been two goals up,” said Bellamy, whose side won 2-1 in Montenegro last month after a fast start and a second-half struggle repeated in Reykjavik.

“Good habits allow you to be consistent. And if you’re consistent, then you can grow. We’re just in that period at the moment.”