Caerphilly-born midfield maestro Aaron Ramsey will miss Wales’ upcoming friendlies after suffering a thigh strain.
The 25-year-old will sit out the home clashes against Northern Ireland and Ukraine this month after limping off with a thigh strain during Arsenal’s FA Cup replay at Hull City on Tuesday March 8, leaving Wales boss Chris Coleman sweating over his fitness.
Ramsey lasted just 16 minutes after replacing defender Gabriel in the second half of the Gunners’ 4-0 win before he was substituted himself.
The injury is set to keep Ramsey out for up to six weeks, but it is expected he will be at full fitness when Wales meet up ahead of this summer’s European Championships in France.
In preparation for their first major tournament in over 50 years, Wales face Northern Ireland in Cardiff on Thursday March 24 before flying to Kiev to take on Ukraine the following Monday in two testing friendlies.